JP5339635B2 - Smokeless tobacco composition and method of treating tobacco for using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A process for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition is proposed, comprising providing a mixture of water and a tobacco material in the form of a slurry, heating the mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to pasteurize the mixture, adding an amount of a base to the slurry sufficient to raise the pH of the slurry to an alkaline pH, thereby forming a pH-adjusted mixture, continuing to heat the pH-adjusted mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient for the pH of the pH-adjusted mixture to drop at least about 0.5 pH unit following said adding step to form a treated tobacco material, and incorporating the treated tobacco material into a smokeless tobacco product.

Description

  The present invention relates to the use of tobacco, in particular smokeless form of tobacco. The present invention also relates to a method for processing tobacco for use in smokeless tobacco compositions.

  Cigarettes, cigars and pipes are popular smoking articles where various forms of tobacco are used. Such smoking articles are used by heating or burning tobacco, and aerosols (eg, smoke) are inhaled by smokers. Tobacco can also be enjoyed in the so-called “smokeless” form. Particularly popular smokeless tobacco products are used by inserting some form of processed tobacco or tobacco-containing formulation into the user's mouth.

  Various types of smokeless tobacco products are described in Schwartz US Pat. No. 1,376,586, Levi US Pat. No. 3,696,917, Pittman et al. US Pat. No. 4,513,756, each incorporated herein by reference. Sensabaugh, Jr. No. 4,528,993, Story et al., No. 4,624,269, Townsend, No. 4,987,907, Spinkle, III et al., No. 5,092,352, and White et al., No. 5,387,416. Strickland et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521, Arnarp et al., WO 04/095959, Atchley et al., WO 05/063060, Engstrom, WO 05/004480, Bjorholm As described in WO 05/016036 and Quinter et al. In WO 05/041699. Also, US Pat. No. 6,953,040 to Atchley et al., US Pat. No. 7,032,601 to Atchley et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0178398 to Breskin et al., Each incorporated herein by reference, And Strickland et al., 2006/0191548, WO 05/041699, and Mua et al. US patent application Ser. No. 11/461633 filed Aug. 1, 2006. See also tobacco formulations, ingredients and processing methods.

  One type of smokeless tobacco product is called “snuff”. Typical types of wet snuff products commonly referred to as “snus” are Swedish Match AB, Fiedler & Lundgren AB, Gustavus AB, Scandinavis Tobskkompagni A / Pro and Swedish Ack It is manufactured. The snus products marketed in the United States are R.I. J. et al. It is sold by Reynolds Tobacco Company under the trademarks Camel Snus Frost, Camel Snus Original, and Camel Snus Spice. Exemplary smokeless tobacco products are also available under the trademark Oliver Twist from House of Oliver Twist A / S; S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. Under the trademark Copenhagen, Skoaal, SkialDry, Rooster, Red Seal, Husky and Revel; under the trademark “taboka” from Philip Morris USA; and Conwood Sales Co. L. P. Sold under the trademarks Levi Garrett, Peachy, Taylor's Pride, Kodiak, Hawken Wintergreen, Grizzly, Dental, Kentucky King and Mammoth Cave. See also Bryzgalov et al., 1N 1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005), for example. In addition, certain quality standards related to snus production have been integrated as so-called GothiaTek standards.

US Pat. No. 1,376,586 US Pat. No. 3,696,917 U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,756 US Pat. No. 4,528,993 US Pat. No. 4,624,269 US Pat. No. 4,987,907 US Pat. No. 5,092,352 US Pat. No. 5,387,416 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521 International Publication No. 04/095959 International Publication No. 05/063060 International Publication No. 05/004480 International Publication No. 05/016036 International Publication No. 05/041699 US Pat. No. 6,953,040 US Pat. No. 7,032,601 US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0178398 US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0191548 US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 461,633

Bryzgalov et al., 1N 1800 Life Cycle Assessment, Comparable Life Cycle Assessment of General Loose and Portion Snus (2005)

  It would be desirable to provide a fun form of a smokeless tobacco product and provide a method for preparing a tobacco composition for use in a smokeless tobacco product.

(Summary of the Invention)
The present invention relates to smokeless tobacco products and methods for preparing tobacco compositions suitable for use in smokeless tobacco products. Products include loose wet snuff, loose dry snuff, chewing tobacco, pelleted tobacco pieces, extruded or molded tobacco strips, pieces, rods or sticks, finely divided powder, powdered pieces and components Can take various forms, such as powdered granulates, flake-shaped pieces, molded tobacco pieces, tobacco-containing gum pieces, rolls of tape-like films, water-soluble or water-dispersible films or strips, or capsule materials Examples include smokeless tobacco formulations. In one embodiment, the smokeless tobacco product is in the form of a tobacco formulation disposed within a moisture permeable container. The smokeless tobacco formulation preferably comprises tobacco finely divided, granulated or finely divided particles, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, flavors, disintegration aids, antioxidants Other ingredients such as agents, oral care ingredients, and preservatives can also be included.

  In one aspect of the invention, the smokeless tobacco product includes at least one additive or ingredient disposed within the tobacco formulation, the additive being combined with the additive and tobacco during normal conditions of storage and / or use. A form that is sequestered or otherwise physically separated from one or more other components of the article. By separating certain additives from other components of the tobacco formulation, it is possible to increase storage stability, shorten the life and / or reduce the sensory properties of the tobacco formulation. Reduce chemical interactions, minimize the effects of certain additives on the sensory properties of tobacco formulations, and adjust product properties (eg, moisture content) during manufacture without sacrificing storage stability Any one or more of various functional benefits, such as increased capabilities, can be realized.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product configured to insert a product into a user's mouth, wherein the tobacco product is in a form suitable for insertion into the user's mouth and tobacco formulation. At least one additive contained therein, wherein the additive is present in a form that physically separates the additive from the tobacco formulation. Encapsulated form as a suitable form designed to achieve such separation and thus facilitate inhibition of the interaction of selected ingredients during handling and storage; i.e., the selected ingredients are physically contained therein And strips, pellets, films and the like that have been captured or suspended manually or chemically.

  In one embodiment, the additives are separated by using an encapsulated form comprising a wall or barrier structure that defines an internal region or payload containing the additive. For example, the present invention can include a tobacco formulation comprising a plurality of microcapsules containing additives designed to enhance the sensory properties of the product or add functional benefits to the product. By using additives in the microencapsulated form, the storage stability of the product, in particular the stability of the product's sensory profile, can be improved and certain additives are prevented from degrading over time. be able to. Microencapsulation can also isolate the user from undesirable sensory properties associated with encapsulated components such as certain fillers, and sensory experience by releasing certain flavors over time. Can also be made calmer. Microencapsulation of water allows products to be produced, stored and transported at lower moisture levels, thereby reducing storage and transport costs and improving product storage stability . Exemplary additives that may be microencapsulated or otherwise sequestered within the tobacco formulation include water, flavors (eg, sweeteners or tobacco-containing flavors), binders, colorants, pH adjusters, Buffers, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives and additives derived from herbal or botanical sources.

  Exemplary microcapsule embodiments have an envelope, shell or coating that encloses a liquid or solid central region, and in certain embodiments, the microcapsules can have a generally spherical shape. By encapsulating the additive within the central region of the microcapsule, the ability of the additive to interact with other components of the tobacco formulation is reduced or eliminated, thereby enhancing the storage stability of the resulting product. Can be made. Usually the additive is released when the outer shell undergoes some type of physical destruction, breakage or other loss of physical integrity (eg, by dispersion, softening, crushing, applying pressure, etc.) The central region thereby changes the sensory characteristics of the smokeless tobacco product. Thus, in many embodiments, the microcapsule shell is designed to rupture during use, or in normal use, such as under conditions of moisture of at least about 45% by weight relative to the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product. It is water soluble under conditions. However, in other embodiments, the shell region is not intended to break during use, but instead retains its integrity and does not release the contents of the central region. The outermost moisture permeable container preferably has the form of a pouch or bag, such as a mold normally used to make snus products.

  In one embodiment, a smokeless tobacco product configured to insert the product into a user's mouth is provided, the tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation is tobacco. A plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the material and tobacco material. The microcapsules are preferably water, flavoring agents (eg, sweeteners or tobacco-containing flavoring agents), binders, colorants, pH adjusting agents, buffering agents, oral care ingredients, fillers, disintegration aids, humectants, It includes an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload containing additives such as antioxidants, preservatives, additives derived from herbs or plant sources and mixtures thereof.

  In another embodiment, a smokeless tobacco product configured to insert a product into a user's mouth is provided, the tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation is: A tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, wherein the plurality of microcapsules encapsulate an inner payload comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of water, flavoring agents and mixtures thereof. Including. Preferred microencapsulated flavors include tobacco-containing flavors such as tobacco extract or particulate tobacco materials, sweeteners (eg, sweeteners including neotame) and vanillin (in some cases in complex form). It is done. When the microencapsulation additive is water, the moisture content of the tobacco formulation prior to use is preferably less than about 20 wt%, more preferably less than about 15 wt%, based on the total weight of the formulation, Most preferably, it is less than about 10% by weight.

  In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation comprises a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material and tobacco material. A plurality of microcapsules comprising an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload comprising a flavorant selected from the group consisting of a sweetener composition comprising neotame, a tobacco-containing flavorant, and mixtures thereof, wherein the microencapsulated flavor The material is present in an amount of at least 1% based on the weight of the dry tobacco formulation and the microcapsule shell is water soluble under moisture conditions of at least about 45% by weight based on the total weight of the formulation. .

  In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation comprises a tobacco material and a plurality of rupturable microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material. And the plurality of rupturable microcapsules comprises an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload comprising water, wherein the moisture content of the tobacco formulation prior to rupture of the microcapsules is about 20% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. It is as follows.

  In a further embodiment, a smokeless tobacco product is provided that includes a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation comprising a tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, the plurality of microcapsules Comprises an outer shell encapsulating an internal payload comprising an additive selected from the group consisting of filler materials, buffering agents, additives derived from herbs or plant sources, and mixtures thereof.

  Exemplary filler materials include vegetable fiber materials such as sugar radish fiber material, oat or other grain, bran fiber, starch, or other modified or natural cellulosic material. The microencapsulated filler material is usually present in an amount of at least about 5% based on the weight of the dry formulation.

  Preferred buffering agents are buffered within a pH range of about 6 to about 10, and exemplary buffering agents include metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, metal bicarbonates or mixtures thereof. The microencapsulation buffer is usually present in an amount of at least about 1% based on the dry weight of the formulation.

  Additives derived from herbs or plant sources suitable for use in the present invention are often in the form of oils or extracts. Exemplary compounds that may be present in such additives include minerals, vitamins, isoflavones, phytoesterols, allyl sulfides, dithiolthiones, isothiocyanates, indoles, lignans, flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids.

  In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a smokeless tobacco product comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, wherein the tobacco formulation comprises tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material; The plurality of microcapsules includes an outer shell encapsulating an inner payload that includes a filler material, wherein the outer shell of the microcapsule is water insoluble under moisture conditions of at least about 45% by weight relative to the total weight of the formulation. It is.

  In many of the above-described embodiments, the tobacco-containing portion (e.g., an extruded or molded tobacco product, tobacco placed in a pouch, etc.) allows the user to enjoy the tobacco formulation within the tobacco-containing portion. Into the mouth of tobacco users. During use of certain embodiments of the product of the present invention, the outer shell of the microcapsules in the tobacco-containing portion is affected by the moisture in the user's mouth, broken, crushed, or otherwise acts. The contents can be released by receiving. After the tobacco user has finished using the smokeless tobacco product, the outer moisture-permeable pouch, if present, can be removed from the user's mouth and discarded. Alternatively, such an outer pouch can be made from a soluble or dispersible material so that the tobacco formulation and pouch, if present, can be taken by the user. Residual components of the outer shell of the microcapsule may be dispersed in the user's mouth and consumed or left in a used pouch and discarded.

  In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition. Such a method of the invention can be characterized in that it includes a heat treatment step that can be viewed as a type of pasteurization adapted to degrade, destroy or denature at least a portion of the microorganisms in the tobacco composition. . In one embodiment, the method provides a mixture (eg, in the form of a slurry) comprising water and tobacco material having a high moisture content, such as a mixture comprising at least about 75% water by weight relative to the total weight of the mixture. Including the steps of: The mixture is subjected to a heat treatment at a time and temperature adapted to pasteurize the material (eg, heating the mixture to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C. for a time sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material). Thereafter, a sufficient amount of base is added to the mixture to raise the pH of the mixture to the alkaline pH range (ie, greater than 7.0), thereby forming a pH adjusted mixture. In one embodiment, sufficient base is added to raise the pH of the mixture to at least about 8.5. During and after the base addition step, the base addition step is followed by heating the pH adjustment mixture for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the mixture by at least about 0.5 pH units (eg, at least about 60 Preferably up to a temperature of ° C).

  The method can further include adding a salt to the mixture before or during the heat treatment. For example, the salt addition step can include adding from about 1 to about 5% by weight sodium chloride relative to the dry weight of the tobacco material.

  Following the base addition step, the mixture can be cooled (eg, to a temperature of less than about 35 ° C.). The humectant can be added during or after the cooling step. Thereafter, if desired, the pH of the mixture can be readjusted with additional base (eg, to a pH of about 8.0 or less) and the mixture can be dried (eg, dried tobacco). Up to a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight relative to the total weight of the material). Flavors, sweeteners and additional moisture can be added to the dried tobacco material as desired (eg, in an amount sufficient to increase the moisture content of the tobacco material to at least about 25% by weight).

  In certain embodiments of the method, the method includes providing a slurry comprising water and tobacco material, the slurry comprising at least about 80% water by weight relative to the total weight of the slurry, the slurry for at least about 30 minutes. (Or any other suitable time to effectively perform the desired treatment), heating to a temperature of at least about 70 ° C., adding a sufficient amount of base to the slurry to raise the pH of the slurry to at least about 9.0. , Thereby forming a pH adjusted slurry, continuing to heat the pH adjusted slurry to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C. for at least about 1.5 hours (or other suitable time to effectively effect the desired treatment); The pH adjusted slurry is cooled to about ambient temperature, and the pH adjusted slurry has a pH of at least about 8 at the start of the cooling step. Adding a humectant to the pH adjusting slurry during or after the cooling step, and a temperature sufficient to reduce the moisture level of the tobacco material to less than about 15% by weight relative to the weight of the wet tobacco material; Drying the pH adjusted slurry over time.

  Yet another exemplary method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition is provided. This method also includes a heat treatment step that can be viewed as a type of pasteurization treatment. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a wet tobacco material having a first moisture content (eg, having a moisture content of at least about 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the wet tobacco material), and generally Sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco material while retaining the wet tobacco material at the same moisture level (ie, the first moisture content) or higher (eg, a moisture content of at least about 30% by weight). Heating the wet tobacco at a temperature (eg, a temperature of at least about 85 ° C.) and for a time. Thereafter, the pH of the wet tobacco material is increased to a pH in the alkaline pH range (eg, at least about 8.7), and the moisture content of the tobacco material is increased to a second moisture content (eg, at least about 40% by weight). A sufficient amount of base and water can be added to the wet tobacco material, thereby forming a pH adjusted wet tobacco material. The method includes maintaining the moisture content at about the same moisture level (ie, the second moisture content) or higher (eg, at least about 40% by weight) while the wet tobacco material has a pH within the alkaline pH range. Continuing the heating of the pH adjusted wet tobacco material at an elevated temperature (eg, a temperature of at least about 55 ° C.) for a time sufficient to drop to a lower level (eg, to less than about 8.5). be able to. The tobacco material is then subjected to conditions (eg, about 35% by weight) under appropriate time and temperature conditions to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco material while maintaining the pH in the alkaline range (eg, at least about 7.6). (At a temperature of at least about 35 ° C.) for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than The method can further include adding a sweetener composition to the dried tobacco material.

  In one embodiment, the wet tobacco material can comprise a mixture of dry tobacco material having a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight and an aqueous salt solution, such mixture being dried to an elevated temperature (eg, at least about 60 ° C.). It can be prepared by heating the tobacco material and adding an aqueous salt solution (eg, sodium chloride solution) to the heated tobacco material.

  In one embodiment, continuing the heating of the pH adjusted wet tobacco material comprises adjusting the pH adjusted wet tobacco at a temperature and moisture level sufficient to maintain a pH reduction rate of about 0.05 to about 0.15 pH units per hour. Heating the material.

  In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method for preparing a tobacco composition suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco composition, wherein the method comprises a mixture of tobacco material and a salt solution. And wherein the wet tobacco material has a moisture content of from about 30 to about 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the wet tobacco material, while maintaining a moisture content at a level of from about 30 to about 40% by weight, at least Pasteurizing the tobacco material by heating the wet tobacco to a temperature of at least about 90 ° C. for about 1 hour (or other suitable time to effect the desired treatment), the pH of the slurry is at least about 8.7. A sufficient amount of base and water to increase the water content to at least about 45% by weight to the wet tobacco material, thereby adjusting the pH adjusted wet tobacco Forming at least about 65 ° C. for at least about 1 hour (or other suitable time to effect the desired treatment) while maintaining a moisture content of at least about 45% by weight and a pH of at least about 8 Continuing to heat the pH adjusted wet tobacco material to a temperature, and at least about 35 ° C. for a time sufficient to reduce the moisture content of the tobacco to less than about 35% by weight while maintaining a pH of at least about 7.6. Drying the pH adjusted tobacco material at a temperature of

  In order to understand the embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and the reference numerals are components of the exemplary embodiments described in the present invention. Point to. The drawings are for illustration only and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

1 is a cross-sectional view of a smokeless tobacco product embodiment from the width of the product, showing an outer pouch filled with tobacco material and microcapsules disposed within the tobacco material. FIG. A second from the width direction of the product, showing the outer pouch, tobacco material contained in the pouch, together with the microcapsules and the larger spherical capsule (also shown in cross section) also contained in the pouch. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product. Third smokeless tobacco from the length of the product, showing the outer pouch and tobacco material, microcapsules, flavor sheet and two larger spherical capsules (also shown in cross section) encased in the pouch It is sectional drawing of product embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth smokeless tobacco product embodiment from the length of the product, showing the outer pouch, the inner pouch, tobacco material and microcapsules, together with the larger capsule encased in the inner pouch. is there.

  The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, this disclosure meets applicable legal requirements. Such an embodiment is provided. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In this specification and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural reference controls unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

  Several embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which relate to a snus-type product comprising an outer pouch and including microcapsules in a tobacco formulation. . As described in more detail below, such embodiments are for illustration only, and the smokeless tobacco product can include other forms of tobacco compositions, and must be encapsulated or otherwise. For example, additives other than microencapsulation can be used to contain additives that are sequestered from other components of the tobacco formulation.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of a smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 includes a moisture permeable container in the form of a pouch 12, which contains a solid tobacco filler material 14 of the type described herein. The smokeless tobacco product also includes a plurality of microcapsules 16 dispersed within the tobacco filler material 14, wherein the microcapsules include additives as described in detail below.

  Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 includes a pouch 20 that is a container. A preferred pouch includes a moisture permeable mesh material. An exemplary container, pouch 20, is closed and sealed along the length of overlap region 22. The overlap region is formed by placing the bottom portion of one end of the pouch 20 on the top portion of the opposite end of the pouch (eg, by heat sealing, a suitable adhesive or other suitable means). can do. The solid tobacco material 14 is disposed within the pouch 20 and the plurality of microcapsules 16 are disposed within the tobacco material. An optional larger spherical capsule 26 is also disposed within the pouch 20. The spherical capsule 26 has an outer shell 28 that includes an inner payload 30.

  Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 includes a pouch 34 that is a container. A preferred pouch includes a moisture permeable mesh material. The exemplary pouch 34 is closed and sealed at its ends 36, 38 (eg, by heat sealing, suitable adhesive, or other suitable means). Tobacco material 14 is placed in a pouch 34 and a plurality of microcapsules 16 are dispersed within the tobacco material. Two optional larger spherical capsules 40 and 42 are also placed in the pouch 34. Each spherical capsule 40, 42 has an outer shell 44, 46 that includes an inner payload 50, 52. A dissolvable strip in the case of flavor material, shown as flavor sheet 56, is also placed in the pouch. In certain alternative embodiments, a strip of flavor material, such as flavor sheet 56, can be placed in the pouch 34 without any larger capsules present.

  Referring to FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment of the smokeless tobacco product 10 is shown. The tobacco product 10 includes an outer pouch 12 and an inner pouch 60. Each preferred pouch comprises a moisture permeable mesh material, and pouches 12, 60 are present in pouches with flavoring members such as larger capsules (eg, large capsules) and in pouches without larger capsules. Illustrated without showing possible seams. The outer pouch 12 forms a continuous container around the tobacco material 14 in which the microcapsules 16 are dispersed. The inner pouch 60 is disposed within the outer pouch 12 and is generally surrounded by the tobacco material 14, but the inner pouch 60 may be in contact with or adhered to the outer pouch 12. Or may be formed continuously. The inner pouch 60 contains a larger capsule 62 that includes an outer shell 66 and an inner payload 68. Although the inner pouch 60 is shown with an interior space surrounding the capsule 62 for clarity of illustration, in a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the inner pouch 60 fits closely with its contents. . In an alternative embodiment, the inner pouch can contain a flavor strip such as a soluble flavor strip (eg, Cinnamon Oral Care Strip, commercially available from Listerine PocketPaks from Pfizer, Inc.).

  The smokeless tobacco product of the present invention may comprise at least one additive or component of the tobacco composition in a form that physically separates or sequesters the additive to some extent from one or more other components of the tobacco composition. it can. The functional benefits of such separation can vary, but usually minimize the chemical interaction between the additive and other components of the tobacco composition during normal storage and / or use conditions. Including eliminating. Thus, by separating certain additives, the storage stability of the resulting tobacco product can be enhanced and / or the desired sensory characteristics of the product can be maintained. Separation means can vary, including encapsulation of the additive or the use of various forms of the additive such as beads, pellets, rods, films, strands, layered or laminated structures, sheets, strips, or other shapes. Can take various forms. The additive can be dispersed in the matrix material and molded into the desired form. The additive can also be physically trapped or encapsulated within the seam of the pouch containing the tobacco composition.

  In one embodiment, the additive is present in an encapsulated form with an outer wall or barrier structure and an interior region that includes the additive. For example, certain embodiments of the present invention, such as those described in FIGS. 1-4, include a plurality of microcapsules, the microcapsules including an inner or central region encapsulated by an outer shell region. The inner region is adapted to improve one or more sensory characteristics of the smokeless tobacco product, such as taste, mouthfeel, wettability, coolness / heat and / or aroma, or of antioxidant or immune system enhancing function Includes an additive payload adapted to add additional functionality, such as addition, to the smokeless tobacco product. The outer shell or coating of the microcapsule acts as a barrier between the payload and the tobacco composition of the smokeless tobacco product. Depending on the desired application, this barrier may be permanent, which means that the barrier will remain in place as a barrier for the lifetime of the product, or it may be temporary, Means that the barrier is designed to stop acting as a barrier, thereby releasing the payload under certain conditions of using the product.

  In many embodiments, when the outer shell is subjected to some type of physical destruction, breakage or other loss of physical integrity (eg, by collapse, softening, crushing, applying pressure, etc.) The central region additive is released, thereby changing the sensory or functional properties of the smokeless tobacco product during use of the product. Thus, for example, a microcapsule can be incorporated into a pouch along with a tobacco formulation, and during use, the microcapsule softens by contact with moisture present in the user's mouth and its The physical integrity can be lost and the additive can be released into the user's mouth. Alternatively, the microcapsules can be intentionally collapsed by applying pressure to release the additive. Such release of the additive can change or enhance the flavor or other sensory characteristics of the product, extend the period during which the user can enjoy the product, or provide other functional benefits. In other embodiments, the shell is not designed to release the additive under normal use conditions, as is the case with microcapsule filler materials.

  The tobacco product 10 is typically used by placing a single pouch with a tobacco formulation in the mouth of a human subject / user. During use, saliva in the user's mouth allows some of the ingredients of the tobacco formulation to pass through the water permeable pouch and into the user's mouth. The pouch is preferably not chewed or swallowed. The user is provided with tobacco flavor and satisfaction and does not have to exhale any part of the tobacco formulation. In addition, in many embodiments, the microcapsules are broken during use of the product, and the contents of the microcapsules are introduced into the user's mouth. After about 10 to about 60 minutes, preferably from about 15 to about 45 minutes of use / enjoyment, a significant amount of the microcapsule contents and tobacco formulation is consumed by the human subject and the pouch is It can be removed from the subject's mouth and discarded.

  Exemplary types of additives that can be separated from other components of the tobacco formulation by encapsulation or other techniques (eg, contained in the microcapsule payload) include water, flavoring agents, tobacco materials (eg, specific Or tobacco extract in the form of tobacco extract), organic and inorganic fillers (eg cereals, processed cereals, expanded cereals, maltodextrin, dextrose, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, corn starch, lactose, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol, finely ground Cellulose), binders (eg povidone, sodium carboxymethylcellulose and other modified cellulose type binders, sodium alginate, xanthan gum, starch-based binders, gum arabic, lecithin, etc.), pH adjusters or buffers (eg ,Money Other alkalis such as hydroxides, preferably alkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, and metal carbonates, preferably potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate, or metal bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate Metal buffers, etc.), colorants (eg, dyes and pigments including caramel colorants and titanium dioxide), moisturizers (eg, glycerin, propylene glycol), oral care additives, preservatives (eg, sorbine) Potassium acid, etc.), syrup (honey, high fructose corn syrup, and analogs used as flavoring agents), disintegration aids (eg, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, sodium starch glycolate, pre- Gelatinized corn starch), herbs Additives from fine plant sources, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary types of payload components are also described in White et al., US Pat. No. 5,387,416, Stickland et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0244521, Dube et al., Each of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0261807, and Quinter et al., International Publication No. 05/041699.

  Exemplary flavors that can be used act to alter the bitterness, sweetness, sourness or saltiness of the smokeless tobacco product, and the degree of perceived dryness or wetness of the formulation, or the degree of tobacco taste represented by the formulation Or a suitable combination of these components. As flavor types, salts (eg, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, etc.), natural sweeteners (eg, fructose, sucrose, glucose, maltose, mannose, galactose, Lactose, etc.), artificial sweeteners (eg sucralose, saccharin, aspartame, acesulfame K, neotame, etc.), and mixtures thereof. Flavorings may be natural or artificial, and the properties of these flavors imparted thereby are not limited, but are fresh, sweet, herbal, confectionery, flowery Can be described as nasty, fruity or spicy. Specific types of flavors include but are not limited to vanilla, coffee, chocolate / cocoa, cream, mint, spearmint, menthol, peppermint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender, cardamom, nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cascarilla, sandalwood, honey , Jasmine, ginger, anise, sage, licorice, lemon, orange, apple, peach, lime, cherry, strawberry and any combination thereof. Leffingwell et al., “Tobacco Flavoring for Smoke Products”, R. W., incorporated herein by reference. J. et al. See also Reynolds Tobacco Company (1972). Flavoring agents can also include ingredients that are considered wet, cooled or smoothing agents such as eucalyptus. These flavors can be provided pure (ie, alone) or in combination (eg, spearmint and menthol, or orange and cinnamon). Complex flavors can be combined in a single microcapsule as a mixture and as separate components in separate microcapsules.

  In a preferred embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the microcapsule payload, is a tobacco-based flavor composition, such as a flavor comprising a particulate tobacco material or tobacco extract (eg, an aqueous tobacco extract in solid form). It is a thing. It is contemplated that any type of tobacco material described herein can be used as a microencapsulated flavor. The use of microencapsulated tobacco flavors can provide smokeless tobacco formulations with extended release of flavor characteristics. Some forms of smokeless tobacco formulations deliver a strong sensory profile. A more gentle sensory experience can be achieved by microencapsulating a portion of the tobacco material in the formulation. Tobacco flavor microencapsulation can also extend the sensory experience by continuously and slowly releasing tobacco flavor as the product stays in the mouth. Preferred microencapsulated tobacco flavorings extend the release of tobacco flavoring under normal use conditions of the smokeless tobacco product, such as under conditions of a moisture level of 45% or more relative to the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product.

  Tobacco extracts useful as ingredients in tobacco formulations can be used, particularly those suitable for use as sequestering additives. The extract can be used in solid form (eg, spray dried or lyophilized form), liquid form, semi-solid form, and the like. Exemplary tobacco extracts and extraction techniques are described, for example, in Osborne, Jr., all of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,677, Fagg et al. 4,967,771, Fagg et al. 5,0055,931, Fagg et al. 5,148,819 and Clapp et al. 5,435,325. Has been. Various tobacco extracts and reconstitution methods are described in Fagg, US Pat. No. 5,065,775, Newton, US Pat. No. 5,361,0022, and Fagg, US Pat. No. 5,131,414, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. It is described in. See also the tobacco extract processing methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,415 to Munoz et al. And 5,31,850 of Gonzalez-Parra, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

  Any suitable known reconstituted tobacco processing technique can be used, such as paper making techniques or pouring-type methods. For example, Tughan, U.S. Pat. No. 3,398,754, Mattina, U.S. Pat. No. 3,847,164, Kite, U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,117, Jenkins, U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,552, Mattina, which are incorporated herein by reference. No. 4,308,877, Keritsis No. 4,341,228, Gelatly No. 4421126, Gelatly No. 4,706,692, No. 4,962,774, Clapp No. 4,941,484. Specification, Young, US Pat. No. 4,987,906, Brown, US Pat. No. 5,056,537, Sonn, US Pat. No. 5,143,097, Brinkley et al., US Pat. No. 5,159,942, Specification No. 5325877, the first 5445169 Pat of Brinkley, the first 5501237 Pat of Young, see various paper making method described in the first 5533530 Pat of Young. For example, Hind US Pat. No. 3,353,541, Hind 3,399,454, Hind 3,483,874, Deszyck 3,760,815, Kertissis, incorporated herein by reference. No. 4,674,519, Kiernan No. 4,972,854, Hickle No. 5023354, Young No. 5099864, Jakob No. 5101839, Hickle No. 5,203,354 , Lekwawa No. 5327917, Young No. 5333938, Jakob No. 5598866, Young No. 5715844, Gelatly No. 5724998 Writing, and the first 6216706 Pat of Kumar, and see pouring method described in EPO565360, EPO1055375 and WO 98/01233. Extracts, extraction materials and slurries used in conventional tobacco reconstitution processes can be used as components of tobacco formulations for smokeless tobacco products as described herein.

  In another embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the microcapsule payload, comprises vanillin as a flavoring agent. Under certain conditions, such as basic pH, the presence of vanillin in the smokeless tobacco formulation may result in red spots on the pouch over time. By microencapsulating vanillin, vanillin is stabilized in smokeless tobacco products, reducing the possibility of pouch stains. In certain embodiments, the microencapsulated vanillin can be in the form of a complexed vanillin that releases vanillin over time, such as ethyl vanillin glucoside. In a preferred embodiment, microencapsulated vanillin prolongs the release of vanillin during normal use conditions, such as under a moisture level of 45% or higher.

  In another embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the microcapsule payload, is a natural and / or artificial sweetener, such as a SUSCRAWEET® brand sweetener commercially available from the Sweetener Solutions Company. SUCRASWEET® is a combination of neotame, acesulfame potassium and maltitol. Certain sweeteners, especially those containing neotame, may lose stability under certain conditions, such as basic pH. Certain sweeteners can chemically degrade to form by-products, which can alter the sensory characteristics of the smokeless tobacco formulation in undesirable ways, such as increased bitterness. By microencapsulating such sweeteners, degradation of the sweet flavor can be reduced or prevented, and the desired sensory profile of the smokeless tobacco product can be maintained for a longer period of time. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated sweet flavor provides a continuous and prolonged release of the flavor and is water soluble during normal use conditions, such as at a moisture level of 45% or higher.

  In yet another embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the microcapsule payload, is water, which serves to increase the moisture level of the smokeless tobacco product. By adding microencapsulated or otherwise sequestered water to the smokeless tobacco product, the moisture level of the product during storage can be reduced. When the product is placed in the mouth, the microencapsulated water preferably releases the water quickly. Rather than being designed to dissolve over time during use of the product, the outer shell of the microcapsules of this embodiment is preferably ruptured during use, such as by microcapsule crushing by the user. Designed to quickly release water in the product at any time during or prior to use of the product. The ability to package, store and transport smokeless tobacco products at lower moisture levels reduces transportation costs (eg, eliminating the need for refrigeration) and increases product life. The use of microencapsulated water is less than about 20%, often less than about 15%, often about 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation prior to use (eg, during storage). Particularly suitable for tobacco formulations having a moisture content of less than%. A typical moisture content range for the tobacco formulation of this embodiment is from about 5 to about 20% by weight.

  Additives also include potato skin, grape seed, ginseng, ginkgo, Saint John's Wort, saw palmetto, green tea, black tea, black cohosh, powdered pepper, chamomile, cranberry, echinasia, garlic, evening primrose, It may be in the form of an isolated component (eg, oil or extract) from a plant or herbal source such as feverfew, ginger, hydrastis, hawthorn, kawakawa, licorice, milk thistle, basilis, or valerian. Providing certain bioactive effects such as minerals, vitamins, isoflavones, phytoesterols, allyl sulfides, dithiolthiones, isothiocyanates, indoles, lignans, flavonoids, polyphenols and carotenoids as additives such as the oils and extracts mentioned above In many cases, compounds derived from various classes in which is known. Exemplary compounds found in these types of extracts or oils include ascorbic acid, peanut endoderm, resveratrol, sulforaphane, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, coenzyme Q, carnitine, quercetin, kaempferol and the like. See, for example, Santhosh et al., Phytomedicine, 12 (2005), pages 216-220, incorporated herein by reference. The oil or extract additive used in the present invention can include any compound and source described herein including, but not limited to, mixtures thereof. Certain additives of this type may be referred to as dietary supplements, nutritional supplements, “phytochemicals” or “functional foods”. These types of additives provide one or more beneficial biological effects (eg, health promotion, disease prevention, or other pharmacological properties), but are not normally classified or regulated as drugs, usually natural May be defined in the art as a generic substance available from various sources (eg, plant material).

  In embodiments of the invention that include microencapsulated or otherwise isolated components derived or isolated from plant or herbal sources, the microencapsulated additive may benefit from immune system promoting effects, antioxidant effects, etc. New biological functions can be imparted to the product. Microencapsulation can increase the probability that the bioactive additive remains in an active form until the product is used. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated bioactive additive provides a continuous and extended release of the additive during normal use conditions, such as under a moisture level of 45% or higher, and exhibits water solubility.

  In further embodiments, the sequestered additive, such as the additive in the microcapsule payload, can include a buffer, such as sodium bicarbonate and / or sodium carbonate. Suitable buffering agents typically buffer at a pH of at least about 6.0, often at least about 7.0, and often at least about 7.5. Suitable buffering agents typically buffer at a pH of less than about 10.0, often less than about 9.5, and often less than about 9.0. In order to optimize sensory characteristics, it is preferred to maintain the pH of the smokeless tobacco formulation above about 7.5. However, over time, the pH of the smokeless tobacco formulation can drop, especially at temperatures above ambient. The use of microencapsulated buffers that prolong release may help to maintain the product pH in the desired range, resulting in a more consistent sensory profile for the product and extending its life. In certain preferred embodiments, the microencapsulation buffer is used when the temperature of the product exceeds a certain threshold temperature (eg, about 80 ° F. or 27 ° C.) or the pH of the product is undesirable. Releases the buffer when lowered to a low level (eg, 7.3 or less).

  In a further embodiment, the sequestered additive, such as an additive in the microcapsule payload, is a filler material. Certain filler materials can impart undesirable sensory properties to smokeless tobacco products. For example, certain fillers may have a cereal or rough texture or taste. Microencapsulation or otherwise physical separation of the filler can help minimize the effect of the sensory properties of the filler on the overall sensory profile of the smokeless tobacco product. In this manner, fillers can be advantageously used if a milder product taste is desired without imparting any taste-removing agent. A particularly preferred filler is FIBREX® brand filler, commercially available from International Fiber Corporation, which is a fiber material derived from sugar radish. Other suitable filler materials include oats or other cereals, bran fiber, starch, or modified or natural cellulosic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the microencapsulated filler is in a water-insoluble form under normal use conditions, such as a moisture level of 45% by weight or more.

  As described above, in many embodiments, the outer shell of the microcapsule is normal in the mouth of the user, such as under relatively high moisture conditions (eg, greater than 45% moisture relative to the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product). It is preferred to lose physical integrity under the conditions of use. In other embodiments, the microcapsule shell is physically integrated when the smokeless tobacco product reaches a certain pH, such as a pH below about 7.3, or a certain temperature, such as above about 27 ° C. It is preferable to lose. In a further embodiment, the microcapsule is pressure applied by hand before inserting the product into the mouth, or pressure applied after the product is inserted into the oral cavity (eg, pressure applied by the tongue or teeth). It is designed to rupture when subjected to physical force or pressure by the user.

  The microcapsule payload can have a changeable form. The payload may be in a solid form (eg, a crystalline material or a dry powder), but typically has a liquid or gel form. In one embodiment, the payload is a mixture of an additive (eg, a flavoring agent) and a diluent or carrier (eg, water). Preferred diluents are triglycerides such as medium chain triglycerides, more particularly food grade mixtures of medium chain triglycerides. See, for example, Radzuan et al., Porim Bulletin, 39, 33-38 (1999).

  The amount of additive and diluent within the microcapsules can vary. In some cases, the diluent can be eliminated all together and the payload can be composed entirely of additives. Alternatively, the payload can consist almost entirely of diluent and can contain only very small amounts of relatively strong additives. In one embodiment, the additive and diluent mixture composition ranges from about 5 to about 99 weight percent additive, more preferably from about 5 to about 75 weight percent, based on the total weight of the payload. A range of agents, most preferably from about 10 to about 25% by weight additive, with the remainder being diluent. The exact amount of additive depends on several factors including the type of additive and the desired sensory profile of the product.

  The crush strength of the microcapsules is sufficient to allow normal handling and storage and does not significantly increase premature or undesirable breakage. The step of preparing a capsule that has both the proper integrity during storage and the ability to rupture or otherwise break during use can be determined experimentally depending on factors such as the size and type of the capsule, This is a matter of design preference. See, for example, Thomas et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0068540, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Exemplary microcapsules include a shell incorporating a material such as wax, gelatin, cyclodextrin, or alginate and an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid (eg, at least one flavor component in water or an organic liquid such as alcohol or oil). Or a dispersed dispersion; or a mixture of water and a miscible liquid such as alcohol or glycerin). Thus, for example, a plurality of such microcapsules can be incorporated into a pouch along with a tobacco formulation; during use of the product, the microcapsules may be contained therein by crushing or other physical disruption of the microcapsules. It may be possible to release the added additives to properly wet the ingredients of the tobacco formulation and provide other functional benefits such as taste enhancement. For example, a suitable number of capsules with an outer shell containing a food grade wax material and an inner payload containing water will release enough water if such capsule breaks to provide the desired wetting effect to the tobacco formulation. Can be incorporated into the pouch.

  The microcapsules used in the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention may be uniform or non-uniform in size, weight and shape, and such properties of the microcapsule depend on the desired properties of the smokeless tobacco product. . Typical microcapsules are generally spherical. However, suitable microcapsules can have other shapes, such as a generally linear, rectangular, elliptical or oval shape. Exemplary microcapsules can have a diameter of less than about 100 microns, such as microcapsules that range in diameter from about 1 to about 40 microns or from about 1 to about 20 microns.

  The number of microcapsules incorporated within the smokeless tobacco product can vary depending on factors such as the size of the microcapsules, the characteristics or properties of the additive in the payload, the desired attributes of the smokeless tobacco product, and the like. The number of microcapsules incorporated into the smokeless tobacco product can exceed about 5, can exceed about 10, can exceed about 20, can exceed about 40, can exceed about 100 Even can. In certain embodiments, the number of capsules may be greater than about 500, and greater than about 1,000.

  The total weight of the microcapsules contained within the smokeless tobacco product can vary, but is usually greater than about 10 mg, often greater than about 20 mg, and may be greater than about 30 mg. The total weight of the microcapsules is usually less than about 200 mg, often less than about 100 mg, and may be less than about 50 mg.

  The relative weight of the microcapsules in the pouch can vary. Usually, the dry weight of tobacco in smokeless tobacco products is greater than the weight provided by the microcapsule component. However, the weight of the microcapsule component can range from about 10 to about 75%, often from about 20 to about 50%, based on the combined weight of the microcapsule component and the dry weight of the tobacco.

  If desired, microcapsules of various sizes and / or types (for example, various materials of the shell, various properties of the shell such as shape or hardness and / or various components encapsulated), Can be incorporated into the product. In this manner, a variety of microcapsules can be incorporated into the product to provide the desired properties (eg mouth feel, flavor, other sensory effects) and / or release the encapsulated ingredients at various times during use of the product. can do. For example, the first flavor component can be released from the first set of microcapsules when the product is first introduced into the user's mouth and the second flavor contained in the second set of microcapsules. The flavor component may not be released until later (eg, the semi-dissolvable coating of the second capsule takes longer to burst than the coating of the first capsule set).

  The microcapsules of the present invention can be formed using any microencapsulation technique known in the art. For example, microcapsules use a variety of chemical encapsulation techniques such as solvent evaporation, solvent extraction, organic phase separation, interfacial polymerization, simple and complex coacervation, in situ polymerization, liposome encapsulation and nanoencapsulation, Can be formed. Alternatively, encapsulation physics such as spray coating, pan coating, fluidized bed coating, annular jet coating, rotating disk atomization, spray cooling, spray drying, spray chilling, fixed nozzle coextrusion, centrifugal head coextrusion, or immersion nozzle coextrusion. It may be possible to use an automated method.

  Coacervation is a colloid phenomenon initiated by dissolving a colloid in a suitable solvent. Depending on the nature of the colloid, various changes can result in a decrease in the solubility of the colloid. As a result of this reduction, the majority of the colloid can separate into a new phase, thereby forming a two-phase system, one with a high colloid concentration and the other with a low colloid concentration. The colloid-enriched phase in the dispersed state becomes amorphous droplets called coacervate droplets. Upon standing, they coalesce into a single transparent and uniform colloid-enriched liquid layer, called a coacervate layer, which can be deposited to produce the wall material of the resulting microcapsule.

  Simple coacervation can be carried out by mixing two colloidal dispersions, one of which has a high affinity for water, or induced by adding a strong hydrophilic substance such as alcohol or sodium sulfate. Can do. The water soluble polymer is concentrated in water by the action of a water miscible non-solvent on the nascent polymer (eg, gelatin) phase. Ethanol, acetone, dioxane, isopropanol and propanol are exemplary solvents that can cause separation of coacervates such as gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, or methylcellulose. Phase separation can be performed by adding an electrolyte such as an inorganic salt to an aqueous solution of a polymer such as gelatin, polyvinyl alcohol, or carboxymethylcellulose.

  Complex coacervation can be induced in a system comprising two dispersed hydrophilic colloids of opposite charge. The use of neutralization of the positive charge across the other colloid by one negative charge results in the separation of the polymer-enriched complex coacervate phase. The gelatin-gum arabic (acacia gum) system is one known complex coacervation system.

  Organic phase separation may be more simply referred to as “water-in-oil” microencapsulation. In this case, the polar centers are dispersed in an oily or nonpolar continuous medium. The wall material is then dissolved in this continuous medium.

  Regardless of the encapsulation method used, the outer wall or shell material and solvent used to form the microcapsules of the present invention can vary. The classes of materials commonly used as wall or shell materials include proteins, polysaccharides, starches, waxes, fats, natural and synthetic polymers, and resins. Exemplary materials for use in the microencapsulation method used to form the microcapsules include gelatin, acacia (gum arabic), polyvinyl acetate, potassium alginate, locust bean gum, potassium citrate, carrageenan, polymetalin Potassium acid, citric acid, potassium tripolyphosphate, dextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, povidone, dimethylpolysiloxane, dimethyl silicone, refined paraffin wax, ethyl cellulose, bleached shellac, modified edible starch, sodium alginate, guar gum, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose , Sodium citrate, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sodium ferrocyanide, sodium polyphosphate, locust bean gum, Chill cellulose, sodium trimetaphosphate, methyl cellulose, sodium tripolyphosphate, microcrystalline wax, tannic acid, petroleum waxes, terpene resin, tragacanth, polyethylene, xanthan gum and polyethylene glycol.

  Microcapsules are commercially available, and exemplary types of microcapsule technologies are described by Gutcho, “Microcapsule and Microencapsulation Techniques (1976)”; Gutcho, “Microcapsule and Other Capsules Sulce 1975; Processing and Technology (1979) "; Iwamoto et al., AAPS Pharm. Sci. Tech. 2002 3 (3): report 25; McGlumphy US Pat. No. 3,550,598; Tateno et al. 4889144; Cherukuri et al. US Pat. No. 5,0045,955; Bonner US Pat. No. 5,690,990; No. 5,759,599; Soper et al. 6039901; Soper et al. 6045835; Lew 6060592; Soper et al. 6106875; Takada et al. No. 6,117,455; DeRoos et al. 6,325,859; DeRoos et al. 6,482,433; Dennen 6,612,429; and Bouwesters et al. 6,692,814; US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0174901 to Rles et al. and 2007/0095357 to Besso et al .; and International Publication No. 2007/037962 to Holton et al. It is incorporated in the description. Suitable types of microcapsules are commercially available from sources such as Microtek Laboratories of Dayton, Ohio. Exemplary types of commercially available microencapsulation techniques include those sold under the name ULTRASEAL ™ and PERMASEAL ™, commercially available from Givaudan, headquartered in Vernier, Switzerland.

  As shown in FIGS. 2-4, embodiments of smokeless tobacco products can include larger capsules that include any of the additives described herein for use in microcapsules. Exemplary smaller spherical capsules have a diameter of at least about 0.5 mm, generally at least about 1 mm, often at least about 2 mm, and often at least about 3 mm. Exemplary larger spherical capsules have a diameter of less than about 6 mm, often less than about 5 mm. Exemplary smaller individual capsules have a weight of at least about 5 mg, often at least about 15 mg, and often at least about 25 mg. Exemplary larger individual capsules have a weight of less than about 75 mg, generally less than about 65 mg, and often less than about 55 mg.

  A typical capsule is Yosha! Enterprises, Inc. From the The Hershey Company and as “Ice Breakers Liquid Ice” from the The Hershey Company. Representative types of capsules are also incorporated into chewing gum, such as the type of gum sold by Cadbury Adams USA under the trademark “Cinnaburst”. Exemplary types of capsules and their components are also described in Waterbury US Pat. No. 3,339,558, Irby, Jr. No. 3,390,686, Dock, No. 3,865,521, Brooks et al., No. 3,916,914, Tateno et al., No. 4,889,144, MacAdam et al., No. 6,631,722, and Deal. No. 7115085, Dube et al., US 2004/0261807, Dube et al. 2006/0272663, Luan et al. 2006/01330961, Misra et al. 2006/0144412, Karles et al. 2007/0012327, and Thomas et al. 2007/0068540, Kim International Publication No. 03/009711, Hartmann et al. International Publication No. 2006/13 197 No., Mane et al., WO 2006/136199, WO 2007/010407, and WO 2007/060543, as well as R. J. et al. It is also described in filtered cigarettes sold under the trademark “Camel Lights with Menthol Boost” from Reynolds Tobacco Company, which are incorporated herein by reference. US Pat. No. 5,223,185 to Takei et al., US Pat. No. 5,387,093 to Takei, US Pat. No. 5,882,680 to Suzuki, et al., US Pat. No. 6,719,933, incorporated herein by reference, And Fonkwe et al., US 6,949,256, as well as Schoenhard, US 2004/0224020, Mane et al., US 2005/0123601, Bednarz et al., 2005/0196437, See also the various types of capsules and their components described in Scott et al., 2005/0249676. Capsules may be colored, smooth or rough on the surface, the shell may be rigid or flexible, the shell may be brittle or durable, or may have other desired characteristics or properties Also good.

  Smokeless tobacco products include other flavors in the form of beads, pellets, rods, strands, sheets, strips or other shapes designed to deliver a predetermined concentrated amount of flavor ingredients to the user Can do. Such forms typically include a carrier material (ie, a matrix material) and a flavorant dispersed therein, allowing control of flavor delivery. For example, representative types of materials and ingredients useful in the manufacture of essentially water-insoluble flavor beads, strands or pellets include R.I. J. et al. From Reynolds Tobacco Company Camel Dark Mint, Camel Mandarin Mint, Camel Spice Crema, Camel Izmir Stinger, Camel Spice Twit, Camel Spiel For example, at least one of the flavor strips, pieces or sheets of water-dispersible or water-soluble flavor material (eg, a film-type material that refreshes edible breath) is contained within each pouch as shown in FIG. Can be arranged. Such strips or sheets can be easily incorporated into the pouch by folding or crumbling. For example, as described in Scott et al. US Pat. No. 6,877,307, which is incorporated herein by reference, and Leung et al. See various materials and techniques.

  Although not preferred, the at least one larger capsule can be surrounded by a low moisture permeable mesh pouch, which is placed in a mesh container outside the smokeless tobacco product. In such an embodiment, the tobacco formulation in the pouch can be isolated from at least one capsule also contained within the pouch, as shown in FIG.

  The tobacco used in the manufacture of the tobacco product according to the present invention can vary. Tobacco can be flue-cured tobacco, Burley tobacco, Oriental tobacco, Maryland tobacco, dark tobacco, dark fired tobacco, dark air cured (eg, Pasanda, Kubano, Jatin and Bezki tobacco) or light air cured (eg, Northern Wisconsin and Galporea tobacco), and Listika tobacco, as well as other types of tobacco, such as rare or specialty tobacco. A description of various types of tobacco, growing, harvesting and curing operations is described in Davis et al. (Ed.) “Tobacco Production, Chemistry and Technology” (1999), which is incorporated herein by reference. ing. Sensabaugh, Jr., incorporated herein by reference. See also US Pat. No. 4,660,577, White et al. 5,387,416 and Dominguez et al. 6,730,832. Most preferably, the tobacco material is suitably cured and aged. Particularly preferred techniques and conditions for curing flue-cured tobacco are described in Nestor et al., Beitage Tabakforsch., Which is incorporated herein by reference. Int. 20 (2003) 467-475, and US Pat. No. 6,895,974 to Peele. Representative techniques and conditions for air-curing tobacco are described by Roton et al., Beitage Tabakforsch. Int. 21 (2005) 305-320, and Staaf et al., Beitage Tabakforsch. Int. 21 (2005) 321-330. Certain types of rare or rare cigarettes can be sun cured. Methods and methods for improving the smoking quality of oriental tobacco are described in Lawson et al. US Pat. No. 7025066, which is incorporated herein by reference. Representative oriental tobacco includes kathelini, pre-lip, komotini, xanthi and yanbol tobacco. Tobacco compositions comprising dark air cured tobacco are described in Marshall et al. US patent application Ser. No. 11 / 696,416, filed Apr. 4, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The tobacco products of the present invention, such as the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, can incorporate a single type of tobacco (eg, in a so-called “straight grade” form). For example, the tobacco in the tobacco product can be composed or derived from either a flue-cured tobacco (eg, all tobacco can be either flue-cured tobacco leaves or a mixture of flue-cured tobacco leaves and flue-cured tobacco stems). ) Only. The tobacco within the tobacco product can also have a so-called “blend” form. For example, the tobacco within the tobacco product of the present invention can be fluid cured, burley (eg, Malawi burley tobacco) and oriental tobacco (eg, tobacco composed or derived from tobacco leaves or a mixture of tobacco leaves and tobacco stems). ) Part or piece mixture. For example, a typical blend is about 30 to about 70 parts burley tobacco (eg, leaves or leaves and stems) and about 30 to about 70 parts of fully cured tobacco (eg, stems, leaves, Or leaves and stems). Other exemplary tobacco blends are about 75 parts fully cured tobacco, about 15 parts burley tobacco, and about 10 parts Oriental tobacco; or about 65 parts fully cured tobacco, about 25 parts by dry weight. About 10 parts oriental tobacco; or about 65 parts flue-cured tobacco, about 10 parts burley tobacco, and about 25 parts oriental tobacco.

  Tobacco material can be processed tobacco parts or pieces, dried and aged tobacco, essentially in the form of natural leaves or stems, tobacco extract, extracted tobacco pulp (eg, using water as a solvent), or (Eg, a mixture of extracted tobacco pulp combined with dried and aged, granulated natural tobacco leaves).

  The tobacco used in the tobacco product most preferably comprises tobacco leaves or a mixture of tobacco leaves and stems. Tobacco mixtures incorporating large amounts of tobacco leaves are preferred over tobacco stems. Most preferably, the tobacco leaves and stems are used in unextracted form, i.e. with the extractable part (e.g. water-soluble part) equivalent to natural tobacco provided in dried and aged form. Used in the presence of non-extractable parts (eg tobacco pulp). Most preferably, the tobacco is not provided in a reconstituted form, an extracted form, or any form resulting from extraction and reconstitution of tobacco components. However, the tobacco portion within the tobacco product may be processed tobacco stems (eg, cut-rolled stems, cut-roll-expanded stems or cut-puff stems), or volume-expanded tobacco (eg, dry ice expanded tobacco (DIET)). And so on). In addition, tobacco products can optionally incorporate fermented tobacco. See also the various tobacco processing techniques described in Atchery et al., WO 05/063060, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  If desired, the tobacco material can be humidified and dried and then ground to the desired form. For example, tobacco materials are humidified using aqueous humidifiers that include ingredients such as sugars (eg, fructose, glucose and sucrose), humectants (eg, glycerin and propylene glycol), flavor components (eg, cocoa and licorice). be able to. The non-aqueous humidifier can preferably be applied to tobacco in an amount of about 1% to about 15% based on the dry weight of the tobacco.

  Tobacco used in the manufacture of tobacco products is preferably provided in shred, ground, granulated, particulate or powder form. Most preferably, the tobacco is used in the form of a part or piece having an average particle size smaller than the shred tobacco part or piece used in so-called “fine cut” tobacco products. Typically, very finely ground tobacco particles or pieces are sized to pass through a sieve of about 18 Tyler mesh, and are generally sized to pass through a sieve of about 20 Tyler mesh, often about 50 Tyler. Sized to pass through a sieve of mesh, often sized to pass through a sieve of about 60 Tyler mesh, may be sized to pass through a sieve of 100 Tyler mesh, and even 200 Tyler It may also be sized to pass through a mesh screen. If desired, collection of small particles of tobacco of a desired size, or range of sizes, can be ensured by using an air classifier. In one embodiment, the tobacco material is in the form of particles that are sized to pass 18 Tyler mesh but not 60 Tyler mesh. If desired, different sized pieces of granulated tobacco can be mixed together. Typically, very finely divided tobacco particles or pieces suitable for snus products have a particle size of greater than -8 Tyler mesh, often from -8 to +100 Tyler mesh, and often from -18 to +60 Tyler mesh.

  The manner in which tobacco is provided in the form of finely divided or powdered forms can vary. Preferably, the tobacco parts or pieces are ground, ground or atomized into powder form using equipment and techniques for grinding, milling, and the like. Most preferably, the tobacco is in a relatively dry form during grinding or milling using equipment such as a hammer mill, cutter head, air control mill or the like. For example, if the moisture content of the tobacco is less than about 15% to less than about 5% by weight, the tobacco part or piece can be ground or ground.

  The relative amount of tobacco within the tobacco formulation can vary. Preferably, the amount of tobacco in the tobacco formulation is at least about 25% or at least about 30%, based on the dry weight of the formulation. In certain cases, the amount of other ingredients in the tobacco formulation can exceed about 40%, based on dry weight. A typical range of tobacco material within the tobacco formulation is from about 30 to about 40% by weight.

  The moisture content of the tobacco formulation before the consumer uses the formulation can vary. Typically, the moisture content of the tobacco formulation when present in the pouch prior to insertion into the user's mouth is less than about 55 wt%, generally less than about 50 wt%, often about 45 wt% Is less than. Certain types of tobacco formulations have a moisture content of less than about 15 wt%, often less than about 10 wt%, and often less than about 5 wt% before use. In certain tobacco products, such as those incorporating a snus-type tobacco composition, the moisture content can exceed 20% by weight and often can exceed 30% by weight. For example, a typical snus-type product can have a tobacco composition having a moisture content of from about 25% to about 50%, preferably from about 30% to about 40%.

  The manner in which the moisture content of the formulation is controlled can vary. For example, the formulation can be subjected to thermal or convective heating. As a specific example, the formulation can be oven dried with warm air at a temperature of from about 40 ° C. to about 95 ° C., and from about 60 ° C. to about 60 ° C. for a length of time sufficient to achieve the desired moisture content. It can be oven dried at a preferred temperature range of 80 ° C. Alternatively, tobacco formulations can be obtained from humidifying drums, conditioning cylinders or drums, liquid spray devices, ribbon blenders, LittEford Day, Inc. Further, it can be humidified using a mixer commercially available as FKM130, FKM600, FKM1200, FKM2000, and FKM3000, a Plow Share type mixer cylinder, or the like. Most preferably, wet tobacco formulations, such as various types of tobacco formulations used in snus type products, are subjected to pasteurization or fermentation. Techniques for pasteurizing or fermenting snus type tobacco products will be apparent to those skilled in the art of snus product design and manufacture.

  The acidity or alkalinity of tobacco formulations, often manifested by the term pH, can vary. Usually the pH of the formulation is at least about 6.5, preferably at least about 7.5. Usually, the pH of this formulation does not exceed about 9, and often does not exceed about 8.5. A typical tobacco formulation exhibits a pH of about 6.8 to about 8.2. A typical technique for determining the pH of a tobacco formulation is to disperse 5 g of this formulation in 100 ml of high performance liquid chromatography water and to measure the pH of the resulting suspension / solution (eg, a pH meter). Including).

  As described above, prior to preparing the tobacco formulation, the tobacco part or piece can be irradiated, or such part or piece can be pasteurized, or otherwise subjected to a controlled heat treatment. You can hang it. Furthermore, if desired, after preparing all or a portion of the formulation, the component materials can be irradiated, or such component materials can be pasteurized or otherwise controlled. Can be subjected to heat treatment. For example, after the formulation is prepared, it can be irradiated or pasteurized, and the flavor component (s) can then be applied to the formulation. Alternatively, the tobacco formulation can be irradiated or pasteurized after the tobacco formulation is incorporated into a moisture permeable packet or pouch (eg, to provide a separate container for a snus smokeless tobacco product). .

  In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating tobacco. The method includes a heat treatment used in the preparation of a tobacco formulation suitable for use as a smokeless tobacco formulation. The method includes subjecting the tobacco material, most preferably in wet form, to a heat treatment. The heat treatment can be performed in an enclosed container (eg, one that provides a controlled atmospheric environment, controlled atmospheric components and controlled atmospheric pressure) or a container that is essentially open to ambient air. The heat treatment provided by exposing the tobacco material to a sufficiently high temperature for a sufficient length of time can alter the overall properties or properties of the tobacco material to a desired degree. For example, heat treatment can be used to provide the desired color or visual properties for the tobacco material, the desired sensory properties for the tobacco material, or the desired physical properties or texture for the tobacco material. In addition, the heat treatment allows the tobacco material to undergo a treatment characteristic of pasteurization-type treatment. Thus, certain types and amounts of spores, molds, microorganisms, bacteria, etc. can be inactivated, or the enzymes generated by them can be denatured or otherwise inactivated. Certain components that are inactivated or otherwise effectively reduced in number are biological agents (eg, enzymes) that have the ability to promote the formation of tobacco-specific nitrosamines. Pasteurization techniques are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. S. It is described on the Department of Agricultural website.

  The temperature and time of the heat treatment process varies, and generally the length of the heat treatment decreases as the temperature of the heat treatment increases. It is preferable to avoid excessively high heat treatment temperatures such as temperatures above the boiling point of water. However, the temperature of the heat treatment step is characterized by a high temperature, which means that the temperature is above room temperature (ie above 25 ° C.). The method and apparatus used to perform the heat treatment can vary. The temperature can be controlled by using jacketed containers, direct blowing of steam into the tobacco, bubbling in the tobacco with hot air, and the like. The methods of the present invention described below are known in the art, such as a variety of mixing devices, including a variety of jacketed mixing devices capable of heating the mixer contents and stirring or agitating the mixer contents. It can be carried out using the device. Various types of pressure control or exhaust mixing vessels can be used. Exemplary blend containers include the Scott Equipment Company, Littleford Day, Inc. And mixers commercially available from The Lodge Process Technology and the Breddo Likewift Division of American Ingredients Company. As an example of a container that provides a pressure controlled environment, Berghof / America Inc. of Concord, a high-pressure autoclave commercially available from California, and The Parr Instrument Co. High pressure reactors commercially available from U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,128 to Hukvari et al., For example. A preferred mixer allows for the injection of steam directly into the contents of the mixer. All of the process steps described below can be performed while stirring or agitating the tobacco material. The pressure in the mixing vessel during the process may be atmospheric or high (eg, from about 10 psig to about 1,000 psig).

  Preferably, the moisture content of the wet tobacco material subjected to heat treatment is at least about 30%, often at least about 35%, and often at least about 40%, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation subjected to heat treatment. It is. Tobacco materials can be moistened by adding aqueous fluids such as steam, liquid tap water, aqueous sodium chloride, and the like. When the heat treatment step is completed to at least some degree, the wet tobacco material is contacted with a basic material (eg, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or mixtures thereof) to raise the pH to the alkaline pH range. When contacted with the basic material, the moisture content of the tobacco material is at least about 30%, often at least about 35%, and often at least about 40%, based on the total weight of the tobacco formulation. is there. Preferably, the tobacco material is cooled some time prior to adding the basic material thereto (eg, tobacco is cooled to less than about 75 ° C., often to less than about 65 ° C., and often to less than about 55 ° C. can do.). The tobacco mixture interacts with the basic material while being held at a sufficiently high moisture level until the pH of the tobacco material drops to about 8 pH units. The tobacco material is then cooled and dried.

  During the heat treatment, a variety of flavor materials can be added to the tobacco material as desired. Exemplary flavor compositions include White et al. US Pat. No. 5,121,757, Shu et al. US Pat. No. 5,370,139, all incorporated herein by reference, Gonzalez-Parra et al. Teague, US Pat. No. 5,343,879, Shu et al., US Pat. No. 5,413,122, Shu et al., US Pat. No. 5,962,662, US Pat. No. 6,048,404, US Pat. Of Coleman, US Pat. No. 6,325,860, Coleman, III et al., US Pat. No. 6,428,624, White et al., US Pat. No. 6,591,841, and Dube et al., US Pat. No. 6,695,924, and US Patent Application Publication No. 2 Various top cosmetic and humidified compositions including compositions described 04/0173228 Pat the like. In addition, various other additives such as ammonia, ethylene oxide, sulfur dioxide, and chlorine dioxide can also be introduced into the tobacco composition during the heat treatment process described herein. Additional types of additives or reactants that can be introduced into the tobacco material are described in Perfetti et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0250821, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  Accordingly, the present invention provides a variety of methods for preparing tobacco materials for use in smokeless tobacco products. Specifically, the method of the present invention includes heat treating the tobacco in a manner adapted to improve the storage stability of the sensory properties of the smokeless tobacco product and adjusting the pH of the tobacco. In one method of the present invention, a desired form of tobacco material (eg, shred or particulate form) is provided. Tobacco materials include various tobacco types such as blends of various tobacco leaf materials (e.g., flue-cured leaves, oriental leaves, etc.) and various stem materials (e.g., Rustica stems, Kurnool stems, Indian Sun-Cured stems, etc.) Can be included. Tobacco material blends are typically provided at low moisture levels, such as about 5 to about 15% by weight (eg, about 10-12% by weight) based on the total weight of the tobacco material.

  The tobacco material is preferably combined with a salt material, which is preferably in the form of an aqueous solution. In one embodiment, the aqueous sodium chloride solution is added to the tobacco material, and the product mixture typically has a moisture content of about 30 to about 50% by weight, often about 30 to about 40% by weight (eg, 35% by weight). Have. If desired, the tobacco material can be heated while helping to thoroughly mix the tobacco material and the salt solution by adding sodium chloride or other salt material. For example, heating can include heating the tobacco material to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C, usually from about 60 ° C to about 65 ° C.

  The wet tobacco material containing the optional salt component is then subjected to a heat treatment step, which includes heating the tobacco material for a time and temperature sufficient to pasteurize the tobacco as described above. Exemplary heating temperatures include temperatures of about 85 ° C. or higher, such as about 85 ° C. to about 100 ° C., more usually about 90 ° C. to about 95 ° C. The exposure time to the pasteurization temperature can vary, but is usually at least about 1 hour, such as about 1 hour to about 3 hours. In one embodiment, the tobacco heating is performed both by raising the jacket temperature of the mixer holding the tobacco material and by direct injection of steam into the tobacco material. Steam injection also usually results in an increase in the moisture content of the tobacco during the heating step. Typically, the moisture content of the tobacco material is maintained at an essentially constant moisture level during the heating step, or only slightly to a level of at least about 30% by weight, such as about 30 to about 40% by weight (eg, about 35% by weight). To rise. In other words, the tobacco is kept under relatively wet conditions during the heating step.

  Following the heat treatment step, the tobacco material is typically cooled before adding the base with the intention of raising the pH of the material. The temperature of the tobacco material typically drops from about 60 ° C to about 65 ° C. The base is then added to the tobacco material and thoroughly mixed with the tobacco material. The base can be any material that can raise the pH of the tobacco material to an alkaline pH range (eg, from about 9 to about 10). Exemplary bases include alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates, and mixtures thereof. Specific base materials that can be used include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.

  The base is usually added in the form of an aqueous solution, and the base addition step usually results in an increase in the moisture content of the tobacco material. In one embodiment, adding sufficient base to the tobacco material results in a tobacco material having a pH of at least about 8.7, such as a pH of about 8.7 to about 10. The final moisture content is often about 40 to about 55% by weight, often about 45 to about 50% by weight.

  Following the addition of base and water, the resulting wet and pH adjusted tobacco material is at an elevated temperature, such as a temperature of at least about 55 ° C, often at a temperature in the range of about 55 ° C to about 95 ° C, more often at about 65 ° C. C. to about 75.degree. During this heating step, the moisture level of the tobacco material is kept relatively constant or slightly increased to promote a continuous reaction between the tobacco material and the base. The moisture level of the tobacco material is preferably maintained at least about 40% by weight, usually from about 40 to about 55% by weight, often from about 45 to about 50% by weight. In order to prevent significant loss of moisture during this step, mixed containers containing tobacco material are usually not vented to the atmosphere. However, a small stream of filtered air can be passed through the head space of the mixer to remove the ammonia formed by the reaction of the base with the acidic material in the tobacco material.

  The heating step following the base addition usually lasts at least about 1 hour, often from about 1 hour to about 3 hours. During this step, the pH is less than about 8.5, such as about 8.0 to about 8.5 (eg, about 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4 or about 8.5). It is preferable to lower it. Usually, during this heating step, by monitoring and controlling tobacco moisture and temperature levels, it is possible to maintain an advantageous rate of pH reduction when the base continues to react with acidic materials in wet tobacco. is there. In one embodiment, the rate of pH reduction is from about 0.05 to about 0.15 pH units per hour, more usually from about 0.08 to about 0.10 pH units per hour (eg, about 0.09 pH units per hour). ).

  Following the heating step described above, the wet tobacco material is dried by continuously heating the tobacco material while venting the mixing container such that water vapor is removed. This step typically includes heating the tobacco material at a moderately elevated temperature, such as at least about 35 ° C, often from about 35 ° C to about 70 ° C, more often from about 55 ° C to about 65 ° C. The length of the drying step can vary, but is typically about 20 to about 24 hours. The final moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is often less than about 35% by weight, such as from about 25% to about 35%, often from about 25 to about 30% by weight. It is advantageous to maintain the pH of the material in the range of about 7.6 to about 8.2 during the drying step.

  In an alternative method, the tobacco material is initially mixed with a large excess of water to form a mixture having a relatively high moisture content, the mixture being a slurry prior to heat treatment Can do. The slurry typically contains at least about 75% by weight water, often at least about 80% by weight water. In one embodiment, the tobacco material slurry comprises about 75 to about 95 weight percent water. In some cases, the slurry is mixed with a salt material such as an aqueous sodium chloride solution. The salt material is typically added to the tobacco material in an amount of about 1 to about 8% by weight (eg, about 1 to about 3% by weight) based on the dry weight of the tobacco material.

  Following the optional addition of salt material, the slurry is heated to pasteurize the tobacco material. The heating step typically heats the slurry of tobacco material to a temperature of at least about 60 ° C., such as a temperature of about 60 ° C. to about 100 ° C., more often from about 70 ° C. to about 90 ° C. (eg, about 75 ° C.). including. The time of heating can vary, but is usually at least about 30 minutes, such as from about 30 minutes to about 1 hour.

  Following the heating step, usually the base material is added when the slurry is still hot. As described above, the base material is typically in the form of an aqueous solution, and the base may be any basic material such as the materials described above. In one embodiment, the base is added in an amount of about 3 to about 11% by weight based on the dry weight of the tobacco material. Adding sufficient base raises the pH of the slurry to an alkaline pH range, such as at least about 8.5, usually at least about 9.0. An exemplary pH range for the slurry after base addition is about 8.5 to about 11, more often about 9 to about 10. After the base addition, the slurry is stirred and heated to an elevated temperature, such as a temperature of at least about 60 ° C., for a time sufficient to reduce the pH of the slurry by at least about 0.5 pH units. The time of heating is typically heated for at least about 1.5 hours, such as in the range of about 1.5 hours to about 3.0 hours. The temperature of the heating step is typically in the range of about 70 ° C to about 95 ° C. The final pH of the slurry after this heating step ranges from about 8.0 to about 8.5 (eg, about 8.1, about 8.2, about 8.3, about 8.4 or about 8.5). It is. Without being bound by any particular theory of operation, adjusting the pH of the tobacco material when in the form of an aqueous slurry will result in a greater interaction between the acidic material in the tobacco and the added base, This is believed to increase the storage stability of the pH of the final smokeless tobacco product.

  After doing so, the slurry can be cooled to ambient temperatures, such as temperatures below about 35 ° C. If desired, a humectant such as glycerin, propylene glycol or sugar alcohol (eg, maltitol syrup) can be added during or after cooling. The tobacco material is then dried. In one embodiment, the drying step included pouring the slurry onto a belt (eg, a stainless steel belt) and passing the tobacco through a drying zone operated at a temperature of about 85 ° C. to about 285 ° C. . A typical residence time for tobacco material in the drying zone is from about 2 to about 5 minutes. Alternatively, the belt speed in the drying zone or tunnel may be about 25 to about 55 feet / minute. The final moisture content of the dried tobacco material is typically about 5 to about 15% by weight, often about 10 to about 12% by weight. Techniques for drying tobacco materials are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,941,484 to Clapp et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,0055,493 to Fagg et al., And U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,008 to Fagg , Which is incorporated herein by reference.

  In another example of a tobacco mixture heat treatment process having a high moisture content, the smokeless tobacco formulation is for a paper process reconstituted tobacco as described in Brinkley US Pat. Nos. 5,159,942 and 5,445,169. Prepared using tobacco treated in a similar manner. In this method, tobacco is subjected to aqueous extraction at elevated temperatures to separate tobacco material into a solid portion and an extract portion, which typically has a relatively low solids content (eg, about 3-6% solids). The time and temperature of extraction can vary, but typically the temperature is at least about 60 ° C, such as a temperature of about 60 ° C to about 100 ° C, more often about 70 ° C to about 90 ° C (eg, about 75 ° C). The time is typically from about 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours. The aqueous solution used to extract the tobacco material is typically about 3 to about 8 wt.% Salt (eg, sodium chloride) and about 1 to about 5 wt. Salt) and base materials such as sodium hydroxide). The extract is then preferably cooled (eg, cooled to about 65 ° C.) and optionally neutralized by the addition of a base (eg, about 3.5% sodium hydroxide relative to the weight of tobacco). And about 3.5% potassium carbonate). Following the neutralization step, the pH of the extract can vary from about 9.0-9.5 to about 8.0-8.5. The extract can then be concentrated to form a concentrated extract having a relatively high solids content, such as about 30-35% solids, for example by concentrating via vacuum evaporation. After evaporation, the concentrated extract is optionally mixed with a humectant (eg, about 6% glycerin) and then added again to the extracted solid portion. The resulting tobacco material can be dried to reduce its moisture content, such as from about 10 to about 12% moisture. The drying step can be performed, for example, using a forced air oven at a temperature of about 85 ° C to about 100 ° C.

  Using any of the above heat treatment methods, the tobacco material is intimately mixed with the base material in a humid environment for a time sufficient to promote the interaction between the base and the acidic species within the tobacco. Until the contact between the tobacco and the base is fully made, drastic drying of the tobacco is suppressed. As a result, the methods described above are believed to result in a higher storage stability of the sensory properties of smokeless tobacco products formed using tobacco materials treated according to such methods, particularly higher pH storage of the final product. It is believed that stability can be achieved using the method of the present invention.

  Following any of the methods described above, the resulting tobacco material can be mixed with additional flavoring agents, including sweeteners. A variety of flavors and water can be added as necessary to adjust the flavor and moisture content so that the tobacco material exhibits the desired final moisture range for the product, provided that the desired final The moisture range can be varied as described above. In one embodiment, the moisture content of the tobacco composition is increased to at least about 25% by weight in this step.

  If desired, all or a portion of the tobacco material used in the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention can flavor change the sensory characteristics of the product produced by roasting. A typical roasting process can be performed before or after the heat treatment method described above, at a high temperature (from about 80 ° C. to about 300 ° C.) heating a relatively dry tobacco material (eg having a moisture content of about 5 to about 20% by weight). Tobacco uses bases and / or sugars (eg glucose, fructose, sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, caramel, rhamnose or mixtures thereof) or sugar alcohols (eg Maltitol, mannitol, xylitol, sorbitol or mixtures thereof). Exemplary roasting conditions are described, for example, in White US Pat. No. 4,534,372 and White et al. US Pat. No. 4,596,259, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  Tobacco used to make tobacco products can also be processed, blended with other materials or ingredients, including unencapsulated amounts of any additive that can be used in the microcapsules discussed herein, Can be formulated, combined and mixed. For example, tobacco compositions incorporate salts, sweeteners, binders, colorants, pH adjusters, fillers, oral care additives, flavoring agents, disintegration aids, antioxidants, humectants, and preservatives. Can do. For example, representative ingredients as described in US Patent Application No. 11/233399 to Holton et al. And 11/351919 to Holton et al., Each of which is incorporated herein by reference. See, component combinations, relative amounts of components and components relative to tobacco, and methods and methods for using such components.

  The relative amounts of the various components in the tobacco formulation, including the amount of additive in the central region of the microcapsule, can vary. The amounts given herein are the total amount of each type of additive and can represent both encapsulated components (or otherwise in separated form) and non-encapsulated components. In other words, the smokeless tobacco product of the present invention is only in the form of microencapsulated or otherwise separated additives, only in the form of non-encapsulated additives, or encapsulated additive and non-encapsulated additive. Optionally, various amounts of additives can be included in the form of a mixture of agents.

  The sweetener is most preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired flavor attribute to the tobacco formulation. When present, typical amounts of sweeteners may comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% based on the total dry weight of the formulation, even artificial sweeteners and / or natural sugars. Preferably, the amount of sweetener in the formulation does not exceed about 40%, often does not exceed about 35%, and often does not exceed about 30%, based on the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Tobacco-containing microencapsulated (or otherwise separated) additives such as particulate tobacco or tobacco extract are preferably present in an amount sufficient to provide the desired flavor attributes to the tobacco formulation. Tobacco-containing microencapsulated additives are often present in an amount of at least about 5% and more usually in an amount of at least about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of tobacco-containing microencapsulation additive is usually less than about 50%, often less than about 40%, and often less than about 30% by weight of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  In embodiments of the invention comprising microencapsulated (or otherwise separated) water, typically at least about 10%, usually at least about 15%, often at least about the total weight of the formulation Approximately 20% of the amount of water in microencapsulated form is included. The amount of microencapsulated water is usually less than about 35%, often less than about 30%, and often less than about 25%.

  The additive derived from the herb or plant source is preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired functional attributes to the tobacco formulation, depending on the desired function and the type of herb or plant source. Change. When present, typical amounts of additives are at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of additive in the formulation does not exceed about 40%, often does not exceed about 35%, and often does not exceed about 30% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The binder can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired physical attributes and physical integrity to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of binder can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of binder in the formulation does not exceed about 20% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of binder in the desired formulation often does not exceed about 15% and often does not exceed about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Disintegration aids, for example, by providing a loss of physical integrity when the formulation is in contact with water and dispersibility of various component materials (eg, by swelling when in contact with water) It can be used in an amount sufficient to provide control of the desired physical attributes of the tobacco formulation. When present, typical amounts of disintegration aids can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of disintegration aid in the formulation does not exceed about 50% and often does not exceed about 30% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The colorant can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired visual attributes to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of colorant can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of colorant in the formulation does not exceed about 30% and often does not exceed about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The filler is preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired physical and sensory control of the tobacco formulation. When present, representative amounts of filler, whether organic and / or inorganic fillers, can account for at least about 5% to at least about 15% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of filler in the formulation does not exceed about 60% and often does not exceed about 40% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Buffering agents or pH adjusting agents can be used in tobacco formulations. When present, typical amounts of buffering or pH adjusting agents can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of buffer or pH adjuster in the formulation does not exceed about 10% and often does not exceed about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The non-sweetener flavoring is preferably used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired sensory attributes to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of flavoring agent (eg, vanillin) can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of flavor component does not exceed about 15% and often does not exceed about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  The salt can be used in an amount sufficient to provide the desired sensory attributes to the tobacco formulation. When present, a representative amount of salt can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of salt in the formulation does not exceed about 10% and often does not exceed about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Antioxidants can be used in tobacco formulations. When present, representative amounts of antioxidants can comprise at least about 1% to at least about 3% of the total dry weight of the formulation. Preferably, the amount of antioxidant in the formulation does not exceed about 25% and often does not exceed about 10% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  Preservatives can be used in tobacco formulations. When present, typical amounts of preservatives can comprise at least about 0.1% to at least about 1% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of preservative in the formulation typically does not exceed about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation, and often does not exceed about 3%.

  Tobacco formulations prevent tooth collapse or loss, prevent gum disease, treat toothache, whiten teeth or otherwise prevent tooth stains, cause saliva irritation, breath malodor At least one oral care ingredient (or mixture of such ingredients) that provides the ability to prevent, freshen breath, etc. can be incorporated. For example, effective amounts of ingredients such as thyme oil, eucalyptus oil, and zinc (such as those of a formulation marketed as ZYTEX® from Discus Dental) can be incorporated into the formulation. Other exemplary ingredients that can be incorporated in tobacco-containing formulations in desired effective amounts include Takahashi et al., Oral Microbiology and Immunology, 19 (1), pp. 61-64 (2004); As well as those incorporated into various oral care compositions described in Jakubowski US Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0210488 and Cummins et al. 2006/02228308. . Other exemplary ingredients for tobacco-containing formulations include those included in formulations marketed as MALTISORB® from Roquette and as DENTIZYME® from NatraRx. When present, typical amounts of oral care additives are at least about 1%, often at least about 3%, and often at least about 5% of the total dry weight of the formulation. The amount of oral care additive in the formulation usually does not exceed about 30%, often does not exceed about 25%, and often does not exceed about 20% of the total dry weight of the formulation.

  A typical tobacco formulation is about 25 to about 60% tobacco, about 1 to about 5% artificial sweetener, about 1 to about 5% colorant, about 10 based on the total dry weight of the tobacco formulation. To about 60% organic and / or inorganic filler, about 5 to about 20% disintegration aid, about 1 to about 5% binder, about 1 to about 5% pH adjuster / buffer, up to about A flavor component of 10%, a preservative amount of up to about 2%, and a salt amount of up to about 5% can be incorporated. The selection of specific percentages and ingredients will vary depending on the desired flavor, tissue and other characteristics.

  The manner in which the various ingredients of the tobacco formulation are combined can vary. The various components of the formulation can be contacted, combined, or mixed together by a conical blender, mixing drum, ribbon blender, and the like. Thus, the overall mixture of various ingredients and powdered tobacco ingredients can be essentially relatively uniform. For example, the various methods described in US Pat. No. 4,148,325 to Solomon et al., US Pat. No. 4,148,855 to Korte et al. And US Pat. No. 6,834,654, each incorporated herein by reference. Please refer. Methods and methods for formulating a snus type tobacco formulation will be apparent to those skilled in the art of making snus tobacco products.

  The tobacco composition is most preferably provided in a form that is characteristic of a snus-type product described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the tobacco composition is also a loose wet snuff, a loose dry snuff Chewing tobacco, pelleted tobacco pieces, extruded tobacco strips or pieces, finely pulverized powders, finely pulverized or pulverized granules of ingredients and flaky pieces (eg granulating tobacco compound ingredients in a fluidized bed Of edible ingredients combined with molded tobacco pieces (eg, generally formed in the shape of coins, cylinders, beans, cubes, etc.), tobacco-containing gum pieces, tobacco pieces and / or tobacco extracts Products incorporating the mixture, tobacco supported by a non-edible solid substrate (eg, tobacco extract Thailand) may also have a form of such products incorporating. For example, tobacco compositions include compressed tobacco pellets, multilayer extruded pieces, extruded or formed rods or sticks, compositions having one type of tobacco formulation surrounded by various types of tobacco formulations, rolls of tape-like film Films or strips that are readily soluble in water or dispersible in water (see, eg, Chan et al. US 2006/0198873), or encapsulated material having an outer shell (eg, essentially A transparent, colorless, translucent, or supple or hard outer shell that can be highly colored, and an internal zone-owned tobacco or tobacco flavor (eg, a Newtonian or thixotropic fluid that incorporates some form of tobacco) Can have a form.

  Processed tobacco compositions, such as compressed tobacco pellets, are obtained by compacting granulated tobacco and related formulation ingredients, compacting these ingredients in the form of pellets, and optionally coating each pellet with a coating material. Can be manufactured. Exemplary granule devices are available from Vector Corporation as FL-M Series granule devices (eg, FL-M-3) and from Alexanderwerk, Inc. Commercially available as WP 120V and WP 200VN. Exemplary compaction devices such as compaction presses are commercially available from Vector Corporation as Colton 2216 and Colton 2247, and from Fette Compacting as 1200i, 2200i, 3200, 2090, 3090 and 4090. Equipment for providing an outer coating layer for compacted pelletized tobacco formulations is commercially available from Thomas Engineering as CompuLab 24, CompuLab 36, Accela-Cota 48 and Accela-Cota 60.

  Processed tobacco compositions, such as multilayer tobacco pellets, can be manufactured using a variety of extrusion techniques. For example, multi-layered tobacco pellets can be manufactured using coextrusion techniques (eg, using a twin screw extruder). In such a case, wet or dry ingredients or a mixture of ingredients can be sequentially fed into separate extrusion hoppers. Steam, gases (eg, ammonia, air, carbon dioxide, etc.) and humectants (eg, glycerin or propylene glycol) can be injected into the extruder vessel as the respective dry mix is propelled, plasticized and processed. it can. Therefore, the various components are processed so that they are well mixed with one another and are therefore in complete contact. For example, the contact of the components is sufficient so that the individual components are sufficiently embedded in the extrusion matrix or extrudate. See, for example, US Pat. No. 4,821,749 to Toft et al., Which is incorporated herein by reference. The multilayer material can have the general form of a film, or the multilayer, generally spherical material can have a variety of layers that extend from the inside to the outside.

  Certain tobacco compositions can incorporate tobacco as a major component thereof. Preferably, such compositions leave substantially no residue in the user's mouth. Preferably, such compositions do not provide a smooth or sticky sensation (eg, due to excessively high levels of binder) in the user's mouth. The tobacco material can be treated with a pH adjusting agent or other suitable agent during processing so that the natural pectin in the tobacco material can be released. The released natural tobacco pectin acts to reduce the amount of additional gum / hydrocolloid, cellulose-derived or starch-based binder needed to help the desired properties of the tensile strength of the sheet or film. be able to. For example, to release pectin, tobacco fines are processed with a pH adjusted alkaline solution at a higher temperature than ambient. Such treatment can also provide the desired sensory attributes to the tobacco material. See, eg, Young et al., US Pat. No. 5,099,864; Young et al., US Pat. No. 5,339,838; and Young et al., US Pat. No. 5,501,237, which are incorporated herein by reference.

  One typical type of tobacco formulation has an outer shell and an inner region in the tobacco formulation. Typical shells are alginate in water (eg, sodium alginate commercially available as Kelvis, Kelgin and Mannucol from International Specialty Products Corp.), rice starch, sucralose, glycerin and flavors (eg, mint flavors). And a liquid mix exhibiting a Brookfield viscosity at 25 ° C. of from about 20,000 to about 25,000 centipoise. It can be formed into an outer layer by using a viscous mixture (e.g., using Dolwem Ravioli Attachment with Vilaware Ravioli Attachment for Vilaware Imperia Pasta Machine, Imperia 150-25, each commercially available from Imperia Trading Company) A semi-circular shell can be formed (e.g., by exposure to heat) that can form a sheet, or together an outer layer. Usually, such viscous mixtures can be properly dried by heating at about 60 ° C. for about 1 hour. Various tobacco formulations can be incorporated inside the outer shell. One typical tobacco formulation used as an internal region of such is a granulated or ground tobacco material that can be mixed with other ingredients such as flavors, humectants, fillers, pH adjusters, dispersion aids, etc. Dry or wet mixture.

  One typical tobacco formulation has the form of a gel or soft gel. This tobacco formulation is granulated or ground tobacco material, kappa carrageenan, kelbis sodium alginate, propylene glycol and flavors (eg, menthol) in water such that the moisture content of the formulation is about 40 to 50% by weight. And cinnamon) can be provided by mixing.

  One typical tobacco formulation has a fluid form. This tobacco formulation is commercially available as Ticalose 1500 from TIC Gums, granulated or ground tobacco material in water, glycerin, propylene glycol, kappa-carrageenan, such that the moisture content of the formulation is about 60 to 70% by weight. Carboxymethylcellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (e.g., Ticacel HV from TIC Gums) can be provided.

  In certain embodiments, particularly when the tobacco is in the form of pellets or other processed forms, the color of the tobacco material is altered by treating the tobacco material in the smokeless tobacco product with a bleaching or oxidizing agent. Sometimes it is desirable. In some embodiments, the cigarette is lightly colored so that any residue remaining in the user's mouth after use of the product is not visible and stains on textile materials such as clothing that may come into contact with the residue. It may be desirable to bleach. Exemplary bleaching agents include hydrogen peroxide, ozone and ammonia. Methods for treating tobacco with bleach are described, for example, in Daniels, Jr., which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. U.S. Pat. No. 7,876,611, Oelenhein, U.S. Pat. No. 10,866,306, Delling, U.S. Pat. No. 1,143,095, Rosenhoch, U.S. Pat. No. 1,757,477, Hawkinson, U.S. Pat. No. 2, Baier No. 2170107, Baier No. 2274649, Prats et al. No. 2770239, Rosen No. 3612065, Rosen No. 3851653, Rosen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,888,689, Rainer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,666, Campbell, U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,514, Rainer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,366,824, and Rainer et al., U.S. Pat. 33 Pat, and Schmekel et al., Pat same No. 4,641,667, and are discussed in WO 96/31255 of Giolvas.

  The type of pouch used to contain the tobacco formulation can vary, and in fact, in certain embodiments, the pouch may be unnecessary. For example, tobacco blends having the form of tobacco pellets or other processed forms already sized for individual use may not require a container in the form of a pouch. Instead, tobacco compound pellets or other forms of processing would only need to be packaged in an outer carton without using a pouch to separate the tobacco composition into individual sizes. It is.

  Appropriate packets, pouches or containers of the type used for the production of smokeless tobacco products are trademarks "Tabota", CattDry, Ettan, General, Granit, Gotenburgs Rape, Grovnus White, Metropol Kaktus, Mocca Anc, Mocca Anc , Kicks, Probe, Prince, Skruf, TreAnkure, Camel Snus Original, Camel Snus Frost and Camel Snus Spice. Tobacco formulations can be packaged and packaged in pouches in some manner and using various components used to produce conventional snus-type products. A pouch or fleece provides a liquid permeable container of a type that can be considered characteristically similar to the mesh type material used to make tea bags. The loosely packed granular tobacco formulation components readily diffuse through the pouch into the user's mouth.

  In certain embodiments, exemplary pouches can be made from the material in such a way that, during user use, dispersion or dissolution from the pouch is controlled. Such pouches can have forms such as meshes, screens, perforated paper, permeable fabrics and the like. For example, rice paper mesh form or pouch material made from perforated rice paper can be dissolved in the user's mouth. As a result, each pouch and tobacco formulation can be completely dispersed in the user's mouth during normal use conditions, and thus both the pouch and tobacco formulation can be consumed by the user. Other exemplary pouch materials include materials such as water dispersible film forming materials (eg, binders such as alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum, pullulan), and ground cellulose derivatives (eg, fine particle size wood pulp) It can be manufactured using combined materials. Preferred pouch materials may be water dispersible or water soluble, so that under significant conditions of use, a significant amount of tobacco formulation content may be lost before the pouch's physical integrity is lost. Can be designed and manufactured to penetrate from the pouch material. If desired, flavor ingredients, disintegration aids and other desired ingredients can be incorporated or applied within the pouch material.

  A description of the various components of the snus-type product and its components is also set forth in Lundin et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0118422, which is incorporated herein by reference. For example, Linden US Pat. No. 4,607,479, Nielsen US Pat. No. 4,631,899, Wydick et al. US Pat. No. 5,346,734, and Derr US Pat. No. 6,162,516, each incorporated herein by reference. See also the specification as well as Hansson et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0061339. See also the pouch described in Kjerstad, US Pat. No. 5,167,244, which is incorporated herein by reference, and representative types of pouch material or fleece. A snus-type product is available from SB 51-1 / T, SBL from Merz Verpackungmaschinen GmBH, which can be suitably modified by a general-type capsule insertion device as described in Thomas et al. US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0068540. 50 and SB 53-2 / T and can be manufactured using equipment such as that commercially available. Snoop pouches can be provided as individual pouches, and the above pouches (eg, 2, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 or 30 pouches) are single pouches or individual parts, They can be connected or connected together (eg, in an end-to-end manner) so that they can be easily removed from the one-piece strand or matrix of the pouch and used.

  The pouch containing the tobacco formulation is preferably tightly sealed and packaged in an outer container composed of suitable materials such that the atmospheric conditions within the sealed package are modified and / or controlled. That is, a sealed package can provide a good barrier that prevents compositions such as moisture and oxygen from passing therethrough. In addition, the atmosphere within the sealed package can be further modified by introducing selected gas species (eg, nitrogen, argon, or mixtures thereof) into the package prior to sealing. Thus, the atmospheric conditions to which the tobacco composition is exposed are controlled during the preparation, packing, storage and handling conditions.

  The present invention can include the use of equipment, materials, methods and processes that are suitably modified to provide packaging and controlled atmosphere conditions for tobacco products that are packaged accordingly. The atmosphere in the packaging material can be modified in various ways. For example, a significant amount of atmosphere in the package can be removed (eg, by using a vacuum packaging type technique) or the atmosphere in the package can be controlled in a controlled manner (eg, gas flash Can be changed (by using type techniques). Representative aspects of the various techniques associated with modified atmosphere packaging and controlled atmosphere packaging are described in the section “Analysis and Evaluation of Preventive Control Measurements for the Control of Reduction and Eliminology of Elimination of Effort”. “Fresh and Fresh-Cut Product, Chapter VI”; “Microbiological Safety of Controlled and Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fresh and Fresh-Cut Prod.”. ministration, are described in the Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (Sept.30,2001) ".

  The controlled or modified atmosphere within the packaged tobacco product of the present invention can vary. Typically, when the tobacco product is vacuum packaged or flushed to have a controlled or modified atmosphere (eg, such that the atmospheric pressure in the sealed package is a positive pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure) The atmospheric conditions within the package are controlled so that a significant amount of oxygen present in the package, most preferably substantially all, is removed prior to sealing the package. Is done. That is, less than about 8% and often less than about 6% of the controlled atmosphere initially present in the sealed outer package consists of oxygen. For example, if the package is sealed, the atmosphere present in the package is preferably less than about 5% oxygen, most preferably about 1% and about about 1% by weight of the controlled atmosphere initially present in the sealed package. It can have between 5% oxygen. Typically, if the tobacco product is flushed with a gas species (eg, a selected gas or mixture of gases), a significant amount, most preferably substantially all, of the atmosphere within the sealed package is the desired gas species. Provided by. Exemplary gas species include nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, etc. (eg, a high purity gas that is greater than about 99% by weight purity). Alternatively, the atmosphere for the tobacco product introduces a “gas shock” effect on the tobacco product by incorporating a relatively high level of the desired gas species (eg, oxygen) (eg, a relatively high level in the atmosphere). May be desirable for the inhibition of enzyme decolorization, the prevention of anaerobic fermentation reactions, and the introduction of “oxygen shock” for the inhibition of aerobic and anaerobic microbial growth). For example, a controlled atmosphere containing an amount of oxygen such that the oxygen level in the atmosphere is greater than about 25% by weight, often greater than about 30% by weight, provides conditions suitable for introducing an oxygen shock. Can do.

  An exemplary apparatus useful for performing the process steps associated with the packaging methods described herein is Winpak Ltd. (Eg, systems identified as LD32, L25, L18 and L12); Doboy Inc. As a Linium 300 Series horizontal flow wrapping system (eg, Linium Model Number 301, 302, 303, 304 or 305) from Hitech Systems s. r. l. Available as Hiwrap 504 system commercially available from; and as various types of systems commercially available from Rovema Verpackungmaschinen GmbH. Preferred devices provide a wrapping material that provides a seal through which gas or moisture cannot pass (eg, a seal that may be considered “airtight”).

  The pouch containing the tobacco formulation may or may not be further sealed with the airtight outer package described above, but can be packaged in an outermost package or a sealed hard container that serves as a container. A typical hard container is a short, rounded, generally cylindrical container conventionally used to sell snus-type products. See, for example, various types of representative snuff-box designs described in Bjorholm, WO 2005/016036. Another type of container that can be suitably modified is the plastic or metal type container described in US Pat. No. 7,140,039 to Henson et al. In addition, R.A. J. et al. Camel Snus by Reynolds Tobacco Company; S. Smokeless Tobacco Corporation Revel Mint Tobacco Packs type smokeless tobacco products; S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. See also the various types of hard containers used for the commercial sale of “taboka” by SkoalDry and Philip Morris USA. If desired, the container of the type used for the “taboka” product is adapted to have a sliding tip lid so that the container can be opened and closed (eg, it slides parallel to the longitudinal axis of the container). can do. If desired, the container can have an accordion or bellow-type design; therefore, the container can be extended and opened to fill the smokeless tobacco product during manufacture, and then the container filling is It can be shrunk after it is finished. If desired, the container can be provided with a suitable seal or grommet so that it is well sealed when the opened container is closed again.

  In use, the hard container is opened, the outer package is opened, the pouch is removed from the package, and the pouch is enjoyed by the consumer. The hard container is closed again by hand and, if desired, additional pouches are removed from the container by the consumer.

  The amount of tobacco formulation incorporated within each sealed outer package can vary. In one aspect, the loose tobacco composition can be incorporated into an outer package, and when the package is sealed and the outer package is opened, the loose tobacco is used as loose snuff or chewing tobacco. Can do. In another preferred embodiment, the tobacco composition contained in a snus pouch or packet is incorporated into the outer package, the package is sealed and the snus product is opened when the outer package is opened. Can be used.

  Typically, the amount of tobacco formulation within each individual part (eg, within each pouch) is at least about 50 mg, often at least about 150 mg, often at least about 250 mg of dry tobacco weight, There is a dry tobacco weight of less than 700 mg, often less than about 500 mg, and often less than about 300 mg. For example, a snus-type smokeless tobacco product may have a so-called “potion snus” form. In an exemplary embodiment, the amount of each in-pouch tobacco formulation is between about 100 mg and about 400 mg.

  One exemplary snus product has about 1 g of tobacco formulation having a moisture content of about 35% by weight; the tobacco formulation has an overall length of about 30 mm, a width of about 16 mm, and a height of Housed in a seal-free pouch that is about 5 mm, the length of the compartment area of the pouch is about 26 mm because the width of the seal at each end of the pouch is about 2 mm. Another exemplary snus-type product has about 0.5 g tobacco formulation with a moisture content of about 35% by weight; the tobacco formulation has an overall length of about 26 mm, a width of about 12 mm, and a high The length of the compartment area of the pouch is about 22 mm because the width of the seal at each end of the pouch is about 2 mm.

  A description of the various components of the snus-type product and its components, and packaging structures for the snus product, is also provided by Lundin et al., US Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0118422, which is incorporated herein by reference. It is also described in. Also, for example, Linden US Pat. No. 4,607,479, Nielsen US Pat. No. 4,631,899, Wydic et al. US Pat. No. 5,346,734, and Derr US Pat. No. 6,162,516, which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0061339 to Hansson et al., 2007/0095356 to Winterson et al., And Holton, Jr. 2007/0062549 et al .; Sweeney et al. International Publication No. 2007/057789; Neidle et al. International Publication No. 2007/057791; and Mua et al., Both filed on Aug. 1, 2006. See also application 11/461633, and Robinson et al. 11/461628. See also the various types of pouches described in Kjerstad, US Pat. No. 5,167,244, which is incorporated herein by reference.

  The products of the present invention can be packaged and stored in a manner very similar to that of conventional types of smokeless tobacco products packaged and stored. For example, multiple packets or pouches can be placed in a cylindrical container. If desired, wet tobacco products (eg, products having a moisture content greater than about 20% by weight) can be refrigerated (eg, less than about 10 ° C., often less than about 8 ° C., optionally about 5%). At temperatures below ℃). Alternatively, relatively dry tobacco products (eg, products having a moisture content of less than about 15% by weight) can often be stored under a relatively wide range of temperatures.

  The following examples are provided to illustrate further aspects associated with the present invention, but should not be construed as limiting its scope. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages are by weight.

  Example

  A wet tobacco product suitable for use as a snus type smokeless tobacco product is provided in the following manner.

  Various types of tobacco materials can be combined. A pre-blend of several leaf components is made and weighed into an AeroFlex Model Al 15 flexible screw conveyor (Vac-U-Max Company, Belleville, NJ). The flexible screw feeder discharges directly to a Fitzmill Communicator hammer mill (Fitzpatrick, Elmhurst IL) utilizing a concave surface with a 0.125 inch diameter hole. The ground leaves are then pneumatically transported to a Rotex Model 44 sieve machine (Rotex Corporation, Cincinnati, OH) equipped with two sieves of 18 Tyler mesh and 60 Tyler mesh. The material that does not pass through the 18 mesh screen is fed back to the raw material charging hopper and further pulverized, and the material that passes through the 60 mesh is discarded. The material that passes through 18 mesh and remains on 60 mesh is gravity drained into the container for further use in the process. Multiple stem fractions (Rustica, Kurnool and Indian Sun Cured) are ground separately to the same size as the leaves using the same equipment described above.

  An amount of each material (leaves, Indian Sun Cured Stem, Rustica Stem, Kurnool Stem) is charged into the Scott Mixer. The mixer shaft rotates at 73 rpm for a minimum of 5 minutes during the mixing / blending step. Tobacco has a moisture content of 11.43% (by weight) and a pH of 5.23.

  The tobacco is heated by passing 97 ° C. heated water through a Scott Mixer water jacket to obtain a 65 ° C. tobacco prior to applying the first humidified water. The mixer shaft speed is 73 rpm during the heating step.

  Sodium chloride and water are placed in a Bredo Likwifier Model LORWW mixer and mixed in a minimum time of 3 minutes. The humidified water is then pumped into the mixer via an ARO air operated diaphragm pump at a flow rate of 4 gpm. The humidified water is introduced into the Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-1 6 hydraulic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 65 ° C. during this step by applying either hot or cooling water to the mixer water jacket. Ensure proper mixing of the first humidified water and tobacco by running the mixer for a minimum of 10 minutes. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 35.95% and the pH is 5.30.

  Condensation in the heated phase is minimized by raising the water jacket temperature set point to 88 ° C. Steam is injected directly into the Scott mixer through two nozzles attached to each end of the bath. The tobacco temperature is raised to and maintained at least 93 ° C. by injecting steam and held at this temperature for a minimum of 60 minutes. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 40.3% and the pH is 5.22.

  After pasteurization is complete, the tobacco is cooled to 65 ° C. before applying the second humidified water. The cooling step is performed by both evaporative cooling and convective cooling. The fan is used to evaporate and cool the tobacco by introducing ambient temperature filtered room air into the Scott Mixer, and cooling water is also cooled by introducing cooling water at a temperature of 3 ° C. into the water jacket. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step.

  A second humidified solution containing water and sodium carbonate is placed in a Bredo Likwifier Model LORWW mixer and mixed in a minimum time of 3 minutes. The humidified water is then pumped into the mixer via an ARO air operated diaphragm pump at a flow rate of 4 gpm. The humidified water is introduced into the Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-16 hydrostatic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 65 ° C. during this step by applying either hot or cooling water to the mixer water jacket. Ensure proper mixing of the second humidified water and tobacco by running the mixer for a minimum of 5 minutes. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 51.62% and the pH is 8.72.

  After adding the second humidified water, the Scott mixer is held at a constant temperature of 71 ° C. for 2 hours using a water jacket. The top space is purged by passing a small stream of filtered air through the Scott Mixer. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 49.36% and the pH is 8.34.

  After the above steps are complete, the batch is dried at a constant temperature of 38 ° C. for 20 hours by passing hot water of 54 ° C. through a water jacket and filtered air through a Scott Mixer. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 31.08% and the pH is 7.90.

  After drying, the tobacco is cooled to 29 ° C. by passing 3 ° C. cooling water through the water jacket before applying the third humidified water. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 30.85% and the pH is 7.89.

  A third humidified solution containing sweetener is placed in a Bredo Likwifier Model LORWW mixer and mixed in a minimum time of 3 minutes. The humidified water is then pumped into the mixer via an ARO air operated diaphragm pump at a flow rate of 4 gpm. The humidified water is introduced into the Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-16 hydrostatic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 29 ° C. during this step by passing cooling water through the water jacket of the mixer. Ensure proper mixing of the third humidified water and tobacco by running the mixer for a minimum of 15 minutes. Tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 34.23% and pH is 7.87.

  After applying the third humidified water, the tobacco is held at 29 ° C. by passing 3 ° C. cooling water through the water jacket. The mixer speed is 10 rpm during this step. Tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 34.23% and pH is 7.87.

  The top dressing flavor material is placed in a pressure blow pot. The top dressing is then pumped into the mixer via blow pot air pressure at a flow rate of 4 gpm. The top dressing is introduced into the Scott Mixer via the Spraying Systems Corporation Model 1/2 GD SS-16 hydraulic atomizing nozzle. The mixer speed is 73 rpm and the tobacco temperature is controlled at 29 ° C. during this step by passing cooling water through the water jacket of the mixer. Ensure proper mixing of top dressing and tobacco by running the mixer for a minimum of 15 minutes. The tobacco moisture at the end of this step is 36.53% and the pH is 7.84. The resulting product is stored at 3 ° C. and is ready for pouching.

  A wet tobacco formulation suitable for use as a snus type smokeless tobacco product is provided in the following manner.

  A dry ground tobacco material blend similar to that described in Example 1 is provided. Water is added to the dried tobacco mixture. Moisture can be supplied in the form of ambient temperature or heated water. Water can incorporate components dispersed or dissolved therein. For example, a solution of sodium chloride dissolved in water may be added to the dry tobacco mixture in an amount sufficient to cause the tobacco material to have about 1 to 8% by weight sodium chloride in the tobacco material, based on the dry weight of the tobacco. Can be added. Thus, sufficient to ensure that the tobacco mixture is a slurry and has a moisture content of about 4 to 10 parts by weight of water (eg, 1 part tobacco: 4 to 5 parts water) per 1 part by weight tobacco. Water is added to the tobacco mixture.

  The slurry of tobacco material is heated to about 75 ° C. and mixed at a speed of 24 rpm. The convection and conduction heating of the tobacco mixture is then supplemented by adding steam to the mixture. In particular, the steam is blown using a nozzle present in the mixer and comes into contact with the tobacco mixture. The temperature of the mixture is held at about 75 ° C. for about 30 to about 45 minutes while still mixing at 24 rpm. The moisture content of the tobacco slurry can be controlled during steaming by controlling the jacket temperature. For example, the moisture content of the tobacco mixture can be increased by lowering the jacket temperature during steaming.

  A base such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide is added to the tobacco slurry in the form of an aqueous solution. For example, to achieve a final pH of about 10 slurries, sufficient potassium hydroxide is added to achieve a potassium hydroxide concentration of about 6 to about 8% by weight based on the dry weight of the tobacco. The mixture is held at an elevated temperature of about 75 ° C. for about 1.5 to 3 hours. During this period, the pH of the mixture drops from about 8.2 to 8.3.

  The tobacco slurry is cooled to ambient temperature, and during cooling, glycerin is added in an amount of about 3 to about 8% based on the dry weight of the tobacco. The resulting mixture is poured onto hot aluminum or stainless steel belts and a moisture content of about 10-12% by weight by passing the tobacco material through a drying zone operating at a temperature of 85 ° C to 285 ° C. Until dried.

  The resulting dried tobacco material is placed in a mixer and the water level is increased to at least 30% by weight by adding water and sweeteners. The final top dressing flavor is sprayed onto the wet tobacco. The produced tobacco is cooled to ambient temperature, stored at 3 ° C. and awaiting pouching.

  A wet tobacco formulation suitable for use as a snus type smokeless tobacco product is provided in the following manner.

  Tobacco is processed in the same manner as for paper process reconstituted tobaccos, such as those described in Brinkley US Pat. Nos. 5,159,942 and 5,445,169, with some modifications. Tobacco (1 part) is subjected to water extraction (11 parts water) at 75 ° C. for about 45 minutes by mixing at 24 rpm and the solid / fiber is separated from the thin extract (about 3-6% solids) by centrifugation. Is done. The aqueous solution used to extract tobacco contains about 3.5% salt (sodium chloride) and about 1% base (sodium hydroxide) based on the weight of the tobacco. The thin extract is cooled to about 65 ° C. while mixing for about 1.5 hours or more at a speed of 10 rpm, then a base (eg, about 3.5% sodium hydroxide and about 3.5% of the weight of tobacco). Neutralized by addition of potassium carbonate). During mixing, the pH of the extract changes from about 9.2 to about 8.2, after which the thin extract is concentrated by vacuum evaporation to a thick extract of about 30-35% solids. After evaporation, the thick extract is mixed with about 6% glycerine humectant and then back added to the extracted fiber before it is about 10 to about 12% in a forced air oven (at a temperature of about 85 to about 100 ° C.). Dry to moisture.

  The resulting dried tobacco material is placed in a mixer and the water level is increased to at least 30% by weight by adding water and sweeteners. The final top dressing flavor is sprayed onto the wet tobacco. The produced tobacco is cooled to ambient temperature, stored at 3 ° C. and awaiting pouching.

  Numerous modifications and other embodiments of the invention described herein will occur to those skilled in the art who have the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. . Although specific terms are used herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for limitation.

Claims (10)

An outer shell comprising a water permeable pouch containing a tobacco formulation, the tobacco formulation comprising tobacco material and a plurality of microcapsules dispersed within the tobacco material, wherein the plurality of microcapsules encapsulates an internal payload The outer shell of the microcapsule is ruptured so that the payload is exposed to the tobacco material by rupture of the outer shell, and the inner payload includes the sugar radish fiber material to insert the product into the user's mouth Made of smokeless tobacco products.   The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the microcapsule payload comprises vanillin in complex form.   The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the microcapsule payload comprises a buffer. 4. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 3 , wherein the buffering agent buffers within a pH range of about 6 to about 10.   The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the microcapsule payload further comprises a tobacco-containing flavorant. 6. The smokeless tobacco product of claim 5 , wherein the tobacco-containing flavor comprises a tobacco extract or particulate tobacco material.   The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the microcapsule payload further comprises a sweetener comprising neotame.   The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the microcapsule payload further comprises an additive derived from a herb or plant source.   The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the outer shell of the microcapsule is water soluble under conditions of at least about 45% moisture by weight relative to the total weight of the smokeless tobacco product. The microcapsule payload consists of material binders, colorants, pH adjusters, buffers, disintegration aids, humectants, antioxidants, oral care ingredients, preservatives, composite forms of vanillin, and mixtures thereof The smokeless tobacco product of claim 1 further comprising at least one additive selected from the group.

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